
Russia "should not be" a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said. On Saturday, April 1, Russia will take over the presidency of the body from Mozambique.
"Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council. It should not be because of what he is doing in Ukraine. However, the UN Charter does not allow changing its status as a permanent member,” said Thomas-Greenfield.
The UN Security Council is the international body responsible for maintaining peace.
It has ten rotating members and five permanent members – Russia, the UK, France, the US and China, which have veto power.
Thomas-Greenfield told AFP that she expected Russia to behave "professionally" in the presidency, although she had her doubts.
Thomas-Greenfield reiterated that Washington condemns Russia for "war crimes and human rights violations" in Ukraine. She added that the US "will let the world know what Russia is doing and what are the consequences of its actions against Ukraine."