Russia defends itself against criticism for its presidency of the UN Security Council

Russia defended itself on Monday from the avalanche of criticism over its presidency of the Security Council in April, assuring that it will not abuse that position.

“Russia does not abuse the prerogatives of the presidency. On the one hand there is the national position and on the other the role of the presidency of the Council”, hammered out the Russian ambassador Vassili Nebenzia during the press conference that marks the beginning of each rotating presidency of the Advice.

“Slap in the Face”

Russia took over the presidency of the council on Saturday under rules that provide for a change of presidency every month in alphabetical order of permanent and non-permanent members.

This situation has provoked criticism from Ukraine, which described it as a “slap in the face to the international community”, and from its allies.

“As you know, Russia has been presiding over the Security Council since April 1. It’s like an April Fool’s Joke,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters on Monday.

“The truth is that it is a rotating seat. We expect them to conduct themselves in a professional manner,” she acknowledged.

“But we also expect them to use their headquarters to spread disinformation and further their own agenda when it comes to Ukraine, and we are ready to point fingers whenever they try to do so,” he said.

Westerners against Russian “propaganda”

Ukraine and the West have been denouncing Russian “propaganda” about Ukraine for months.

So this position is “in line with the Western narrative”, lamented Vassili Nebenzia, accusing Kiev’s allies of “spreading disinformation”, in particular “about the situation of Ukrainian children allegedly kidnapped in Ukraine and taken to Russia against their will”.

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges for the “illegal deportation” of Ukrainian children during the Russian invasion. A “stupid” and “illegitimate” decision, insisted the Russian ambassador who is organizing an informal meeting at the UN on this issue on Wednesday.

The Presidency of the Security Council grants certain prerogatives regarding the agenda. But as a permanent member, Russia already has the ability to hold emergency meetings when requested.