Russia has taken over as president of the UN Security Council despite its invasion of Ukraine and calls from activists to block the move. The last time Russia controlled the presidency, it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Members of the Security council said that they could not block Russia, a permanent council member, from assuming the presidency. As a permanent member, Russia cannot be removed from the Security Council. Other permanent members include the UK, US, France, and China.
Russia has used its permanent status to veto bills relating to an end to its invasion of Ukraine. In September, Russia also vetoed a bill calling on Russia to reverse its annexation of four Ukrainian territories.
Russian UN Security Council presidency on April 1 is a bad joke. Russia has usurped its seat; it’s waging a colonial war; its leader is a war criminal wanted by the ICC for kidnapping children. The world can’t be a safe place with Russia at UNSC #BadRussianJoke #InsecurityCouncil
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 30, 2023
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba called Russia’s ascension as “the worst joke ever for April Fool’s Day.” Russia’s presidency means that the Security Council will be led by a country whose president is subject to an international arrest warrant for war crimes.
