Russia takes over the presidency
Selenskyj sees the end of the UN Security Council
4/1/2023 9:54 p.m
The Russian artillery kills a five-month-old baby and a day later the country takes over the presidency of the UN Security Council, the Ukrainian president is outraged. Selenskyj demands a reform of the body. He finds words of praise for Germany.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a reform of the UN Security Council. Russia had previously chaired the body. Only the day before, Russian artillery killed a five-month-old child and now he is taking over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, Zelenskyy said in his daily video address. “There is hardly anything imaginable that better demonstrates the complete bankruptcy of such institutions,” said the 45-year-old.
Before Selenskyj, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had already criticized the change as a “bad April Fool’s joke”. The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly in alphabetical order, with the five permanent and the ten non-permanent members taking their turn. Russia last held the presidency in February 2022 – when it invaded Ukraine.
But Zelenskyy also had positive things to announce for his compatriots. Kiev emerged stronger from the week, said the head of state. Among other things, he thanked Germany for the military aid. A few days ago, the arrival of German Marder and Leopard 2 armored personnel carriers and battle tanks in the Ukraine became known. Switzerland picked up a thank you for joining the EU sanctions against Russia.
Zelenskyi had also imposed new sanctions on Russia. He said he had blacklisted hundreds of companies, including many defense contractors, and more than 650 individuals.