Russia has been appointed to the presidency of the UN Security Council this month, sparking outrage from Ukraine and its international supporters.
The Council – whose purpose is to maintain “international peace and security” – is comprised of 15 nations, and has a Presidency. The country that holds this office is considered to be the “face” and spokesperson of the council, and chairs all of its meetings. Each member state becomes president in turn for a month each, in alphabetical order.
However, for the month of April, the role has automatically been taken by Russia – one of the Council’s 5 permanent members – leading to widespread condemnation from Ukraine and much of the West.
While Russia will not be able to make any major policy decisions, they will set the agenda for discussion in the coming month.
Amid Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Lukeba said that Russia assuming a role relating to peace and security was “a slap in the face to the international community.”
“I urge the current UNSC members to thwart any Russian attempts to abuse its presidency,” he said.
“I also remind that Russia is an outlaw on the UNSC.”
Russian UNSC presidency is a slap in the face to the international community. I urge the current UNSC members to thwart any Russian attempts to abuse its presidency. I also remind that Russia is an outlaw on the UNSC: https://t.co/rZVC1pV0MY#BadRussianJoke #InsecurityCouncil
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 1, 2023
The presence of Russia on the Council has also caused disquiet in the US, with White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre hitting out at the situation.
“A country that flagrantly violates the UN Charter and invades its neighbour has no place on the UN Security Council,” she said.
“Unfortunately Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and no feasible international legal pathway exists to change that reality.”
She added that the Council presidency is “a largely ceremonial position.”
Speaking to the Security Council on Friday, Estonian UN envoy Rein Tammsaar called Russia’s occupancy of the role “shameful” and “dangerous.”
“Isn’t it telling that tomorrow, on the anniversary of the Bucha massacre, Russia will assume the Presidency of the UN Security Council?,” he said.
“This is shameful, humiliating and dangerous to the credibility and effective functioning of this body.”
In a similar vein, the official account of the Strategic Communications Division of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted that the situation would lead to an “Insecurity Council.”
“April Fools’ Day is a perfect day to start the presidency of the UN Security Council, if the seat is taken by Russia,” they tweeted.
“This presidency is a bad russian joke – Russia, waging a brutal war against Ukraine, can only lead [an] insecurity council.”
April Fools’ Day is a perfect day to start the presidency of the UN Security Council, if the seat is taken by Ruzzia.
This presidency is a #BadRussianJoke – Russia, waging a brutal war against Ukraine, can only lead #InsecurityCouncil. https://t.co/JUs26vzA29
— LT MFA StratCom | #StandWithUkraine (@LT_MFA_Stratcom) April 1, 2023
Last year, in 2022, Russia assumed the Council’s Presidency in February – the same month they launched the invasion of Ukraine. This prompted Ukraine to call for Russia’s removal from the council – a request which was not granted.