Leonid Nevzlin: Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council contradicts common sense

By Leonid Nevzlin

"From today, the aggressor state Russia assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for a month. Rotations among the members of this fragile group change every fifteen months, making this Russia's second presidency since its invasion of Ukraine. Fifteen months ago, there was still some outrage, but now, apparently, everyone has grown accustomed to it.

This presidency contradicts common sense to such an extent that it's almost laughable. It's yet another proof that both the UN itself and its Security Council are hopelessly outdated systems in desperate need of reform, if not outright overhaul.

For now, we have to accept this theater of the absurd. Russia has planned several performances for July, including sessions chaired by Lavrov on "Middle East settlement" and building a sustainable world order. A "fair and democratic" one, no doubt. Well, that's how they like it."

Details

Starting July 1st, Russia will replace South Korea as the President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). According to the UN Charter, the presidency rotates monthly among its members in English alphabetical order.

During this period, Russia will conduct three events, focusing on the Middle East settlement, a new global "security equation," and UN cooperation with regional organizations such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).