Cyprus Mail
RussiaUkraineWorld

Kyiv says Russian UN Security Council presidency is ‘symbolic blow’

file photo: ukrainian president zelenskiy attends a joint news briefing with finnish president niinisto in kyiv
File photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy

A top Ukrainian official on Saturday criticised the ‘symbolic blow’ of Russia assuming the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council.

“It’s not just a shame. It is another symbolic blow to the rules-based system of international relations,” Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, wrote in English on Twitter.

On Saturday Russia took over the presidency of the UN’s top security body, which rotates every month. The last time Moscow held the post was in February 2022, when its troops launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Kremlin said on Friday it planned to “exercise all its rights” in the role.

The United States on Thursday urged Russia to “conduct itself professionally” when it assumes the role, saying there was no means to block Moscow from the post.

Ukrainian official Yermak also hit out at Iran, who Kyiv and its allies accuse of supplying Russia with arms, including hundreds of assault drones which have menaced Ukrainian infrastructure facilities. Tehran denies supplying Russia with weapons.

“It is very telling that on the holiday of one terror state – Iran – another terror state – Russia – begins to preside over the UN Security Council,” Yermak wrote, referring to Iran’s Islamic Republic Day holiday.

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

Putin won’t make peace in Ukraine before 2024 US election -US official

Reuters News Service

Hamas, Israel release more hostages, prisoners in fifth day of Gaza truce

Reuters News Service

North Korea says its new spy satellite photographed White House, Pentagon

Reuters News Service

Texas top court weighs scope of abortion ban exception for risky pregnancies

Reuters News Service

Germany’s Scholz vows to modernise economy, back Ukraine, despite budget woes

Reuters News Service

Ukraine says Russian strikes hit coalmine and private homes, four killed

Reuters News Service