Russia defends UN Security Council presidency, denies using position to justify Ukraine invasion

Russia has defended its presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of April against criticism that it will abuse its position to defend its invasion of Ukraine.

Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian ambassador to the UN, denied such claims, saying that the presidency will not be used for national positions but for the role of the Security Council.

Ukraine and its allies criticised the move, with the US ambassador saying that she expected Russia to behave professionally but also to use their seat to promote their own agenda as it relates to Ukraine.

Nebenzia accused Kyiv’s allies of spreading disinformation about “the situation of Ukrainian children who were allegedly kidnapped from Ukraine and brought to Russia against their will.”

He is organising an informal meeting on Wednesday to address the issue.