Kyiv: Russia's Presidency of UN Security Council 'a Bad Joke'

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. AFP file photo
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. AFP file photo
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Kyiv: Russia's Presidency of UN Security Council 'a Bad Joke'

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. AFP file photo
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. AFP file photo

Ukraine on Thursday said Russia's upcoming presidency of the United Nations Security Council this week was "a bad joke".

"Russian UN Security Council presidency on April 1 is a bad joke. Russia has usurped its seat; it's waging a colonial war; its leader is a war criminal wanted by the ICC for kidnapping children," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.
"The world can't be a safe place with Russia at UNSC," he added.

The presidency rotates every month between the 15 member states.

Russia would hold little influence on the decisions but be in charge of setting the agenda.

Ukraine has called for Russia to be removed from the Security Council over its invasion launched in February last year.

Russia last chaired the council in February 2022 when the Kremlin ordered troops to Ukraine.



Strong Earthquake Strikes off Crete, No Damage Reported 

A crack is seen on the seaside following an earthquake in the village of Xerokampos on the island of Crete, Greece, October 12, 2021. (Reuters)
A crack is seen on the seaside following an earthquake in the village of Xerokampos on the island of Crete, Greece, October 12, 2021. (Reuters)
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Strong Earthquake Strikes off Crete, No Damage Reported 

A crack is seen on the seaside following an earthquake in the village of Xerokampos on the island of Crete, Greece, October 12, 2021. (Reuters)
A crack is seen on the seaside following an earthquake in the village of Xerokampos on the island of Crete, Greece, October 12, 2021. (Reuters)

An earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck off the island of Crete in Greece and was felt as far away as Egypt in the early morning hours on Wednesday, but no serious property damage was reported.

The quake was at a depth of 35 km (22 miles) near the island of Karpathos in the Mediterranean Sea, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said, prompting Greek authorities to issue a temporary tsunami warning.

Greece is one of Europe's most earthquake-prone countries and an unprecedented level of seismic activity shook the popular tourist island of Santorini for weeks earlier this year.