Russia steps up to assume charge of the United Nations Security Council, causing a vast fury in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine calls it an ‘absurd’ and ‘destructive’ act fearing the security of his own nation.
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Why is Ukraine infuriated?
The last time that the Russian Federation held the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council was back in February of 2022, when Moscow troops launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. The fact that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has recently been accused of war crimes makes it clear why the Ukrainian premier is against the move.
The News is Absurd and Destructive: Zelenskiy
Zelenskiy, responding to the recent development, in his daily address video said that the news was absurd and destructive. He went on to add that a Russian bomb had killed several persons, including a five-months old boy on Friday, March 31.
He said that it was wildly unreasonable that Russia was heading the global organisation, while openly carrying out destructive operations in his country. He accused the UN of being a ‘bankrupt institution’ and said that it was hard to imagine any other move that proved their bankruptcy more than the present situation.
Complete Failure of these institutions
The Ukrainian Leader further said that the fact that these insitutions, which are meant to ensure the maintenance of peace, security and put an end to terrorism, are being headed by the perpetrators themselves. This signifies a an utter failure of these institutions, and the obligations that they are intended to fulfill. It is the time for a general overhaul of these institutions, even the Security Council, said Zelenskiy.
Ukraine’s foreign Minister Dmytro Keluba said in a statement to the media, that this change in the UNSC’s leadership was ‘a slap in the face of international community’.
The Presidency is bound to rotate each month, in English alphabetical order, among its 15 members. The leadership being largely procedural, is of a huge significance, as it means that the country presently in the President’s chair would act as the spokesperson of the Security Council to the other organs of the United Nations and, also before all its member states. The Kremlin has shown its resolve to ‘exercise all rights’ in the position.
In May, 2024 Russia, in a cyclical manner, would step down from the position and would be replaced by Switzerland taking over the position of leadership. (https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/presidency)
Russia should ‘act more professionally’: UN
The United Nations urged Russia to act more professionally in its new position. On Thursday, it came out with a statement that there was no way to stop Moscow from assuming this position as it is cyclical in nature. It would be expected from the Kremlin to not use its new post for legitimising its past actions and for advancing any more.
Putin was recently accused of war crimes
Only last month, the Russian President Vladimir Putin was accused of perpetrating war crimes. Following this, the International Criminal Court, issued an arrest warrant against Putin. The Russian Premier and his Commissioner for Child Rights, for engaging in the war crime of illegaly deporting a large number of children from Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of the nation in February last year. Also Check: Russia Assuming UN Security Council Presidency Infuriates Ukraine
Over 400 days since the war began
Since then, Russia has engaged in a full-blown offensive which has resulted in thousands of deaths, civilians fleeing the country and destroyal of several cities. Over 400 days into the war, Ukrain has witnessed invasion and upheaval of elected governments as Russia continues to take over parts of the country, pushing with military operations in the east.
