Notwithstanding the discontent of Ukraine, Russia takes the UN Security Council president

Russia has taken the presidency of the UN Security Council despite Ukraine urging members to block the move. Each of the council's 15 members takes up the presidency for a month, on a rotating pattern. The last time Russia had the presidency, February 2022, it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite Ukraine's complaints, the United States said it could not block Russia - a permanent council member - from assuming the presidency. Moscow's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, said he planned to oversee several debates, including one on arms control.

Ukraine's presidential adviser, Mykhaylo Podolyak, said the move was "another rape of international law" and a "slap in the face to the international community". President Volodymyr Zelensky called last year for the Security Council to reform or "dissolve altogether", accusing it of failing to take enough action to prevent Russia's invasion. The US has said its hands are tied as the UN charter does not allow for the removal of a permanent member of the Security Council. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the US expects Moscow to continue to use its seat on the council to spread disinformation and justify its actions in Ukraine. The UN Security Council is an international body responsible for maintaining peace, with five nations permanently represented and 10 non-permanent member countries. Russia's presence as a permanent member means it can veto resolutions, and to pass a Security Council vote, there must be nine votes in favour and none of the five permanent members voting against.