Russia: Ukraine says Russia UN presidency a ‘slap in the face’

KYIV: Ukraine on Saturday branded Russia’s presidency of the UN Safety Council for the month of April “a slap within the face”, becoming a member of a refrain of shock from Western international locations.
Moscow assumes the presidency as a part of its month-to-month rotation between the Safety Council’s 15 member states, with ties with the West at their lowest level for the reason that Chilly Struggle, over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated Russia’s tenure of the physique’s rotating presidency was “a slap within the face to the worldwide group”.
“I urge the present UNSC members to thwart any Russian makes an attempt to abuse its presidency,” he stated on Twitter, calling Russia “an outlaw on the UNSC”.
Moscow final chaired the council in February 2022 — the identical month it invaded Ukraine.
Russia would maintain little affect on choices however could be in command of the agenda.
Moscow has stated Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov is planning to chair a UN Safety Council assembly later this month on “efficient multilateralism”.
Russian overseas ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has additionally stated that Lavrov will lead a debate on the Center East on April 25.
Ukraine has referred to as for Russia to be faraway from the Safety Council.
‘Insecurity Council’
The USA has additionally criticised Russia’s membership of the Safety Council and its standing as a everlasting member.
“A rustic that flagrantly violates the UN Constitution and invades its neighbour has no place on the UN Safety Council,” White Home spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stated earlier.
“Sadly Russia is a everlasting member of the Safety Council and no possible worldwide authorized pathway exists to vary that actuality,” she added, calling the presidency “a largely ceremonial place.”
The Baltic states additionally expressed their concern on Saturday.
Estonia’s everlasting mission to the UN stated in an announcement on Twitter that it was “shameful & humiliating” for the UN Safety Council that Russia ought to be its president.
Lithuania’s Overseas Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis mockingly congratulated Russia on assuming the presidency.
“Trying ahead to some energetic discussions on Ukraine’s proposal for the vacation spot of your warships,” he wrote.
The strategic communications division of the Lithuanian overseas ministry tweeted that “this presidency is a #BadRussianJoke”, saying it was becoming that Moscow assume the position on “April Idiot’s Day”.
“Russia, waging a brutal battle towards Ukraine, can solely lead #InsecurityCouncil,” it stated.
In an interview with AFP on Thursday, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated she anticipated Russia to behave “professionally” within the presidency, however expressed doubts.
“We additionally count on that they may also search alternatives to advance their disinformation marketing campaign towards Ukraine, america and all of our allies,” she stated.
“At each alternative, we’ll elevate our considerations about Russia’s actions,” she added, reiterating Washington’s condemnation of Moscow’s “battle crimes and human rights violations” in Ukraine.