Ukraine Condemns Russia’s Presidency of UN Security Council as Outrageous

Ukraine has criticized Russia’s presidency of the UNSC as a “slap in the face,” reflecting outrage from several Western nations due to ongoing tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials and diplomats from various countries have voiced strong concerns over Russia’s role in the UN amid ongoing conflicts, with calls for vigilance against potential abuses of power.

Ukraine has condemned Russia’s presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for April 2023 as “a slap in the face.” This criticism is echoed by various Western nations, reflecting the deteriorating relations between Moscow and the West due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described Russia’s presidency as an affront to the international community and urged other UNSC members to prevent any potential abuse by Russia during its term.

Moscow assumes the presidency based on a rotating schedule among the 15 member states of the Security Council, although its influence over decisions is expected to be minimal. Notably, Russia intends to tackle topics such as “effective multilateralism” and plans a meeting on Middle East issues, chaired by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. However, a UN diplomat indicated that any potential misuse of the presidency would be met with a response from other Council members.

The United States has also criticized Russia’s position in the Security Council, asserting that a nation that blatantly violates the UN Charter and invades another country should not hold a prominent role in the UNSC. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the limitations of changing Russia’s status as a permanent member, referring to its presidency as largely ceremonial.

Eastern European states, particularly the Baltic nations, have expressed their apprehensions as well. Estonia’s envoy, alongside representatives from Latvia and Lithuania, raised concerns regarding Russia’s leadership coinciding with the anniversary of the Bucha massacre, labeling it a shameful situation for the credibility of the UNSC. Meanwhile, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister humorously remarked on Russia’s presidency, suggesting it indicates a lack of seriousness in international diplomacy.

US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, anticipated that Russia would conduct itself professionally but remained skeptical of this expectation, given the potential for Russia to continue its disinformation strategies against Ukraine and its allies. She reiterated the United States’ commitment to address concerns regarding Russia’s human rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine.

In summation, Ukraine’s denunciation of Russia’s presidency of the UNSC highlights the broader discontent among Western nations regarding Moscow’s actions amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. The symbolic and practical implications of Russia’s leadership role during this period fuel concerns over security and the moral authority of the UNSC. Despite expectations for decorum, skepticism remains regarding Russia’s intentions and the impact on international diplomatic discussions.

Original Source: www.seychellesnewsagency.com