Kiev with sharp criticism of UN Security Council – the nightly update without photos

Selenskyj sees the Security Council compromised by Russia

Russia’s planned assumption of the presidency of the UN Security Council was met with sharp criticism in Kiev. In view of Russia’s offensive war against his country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke of an “absurd and destructive” constellation and called for reform of the United Nations’ highest organ. In the past, Kiev had doubted whether Russia had legitimately taken over the permanent seat on the Security Council as a successor to the Soviet Union. In addition to Russia, the US, Great Britain, France and China are permanent councilors with veto power.

The day before, a five-month-old baby had been killed by Russian artillery fire, and now the aggressor is taking over the presidency of the UN Security Council, Zelenskyj criticized in his evening video address on Saturday. “It is difficult to imagine anything that better demonstrates the complete bankruptcy of such institutions.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the leading role as a “bad April Fool’s joke”.

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The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among member states in alphabetical order, with the five permanent and ten non-permanent members taking turns. Russia was last president in February 2022, when neighboring Ukraine invaded.

But Zelenskyy also had positive things to say for his compatriots. Ukraine came out stronger this week, said the head of state. He also thanked Germany for its military aid. A few days ago, the arrival of German Marder and Leopard 2 armored cars and main battle tanks in Ukraine became known. Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Switzerland for now joining the EU sanctions against Russia.

Ukraine orders 100 Rosomak wheeled infantry fighting vehicles from Poland

In order to better repel the Russian attackers, the Ukraine ordered 100 new wheeled infantry fighting vehicles of the KTO Rosomak type from Poland. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said this on Saturday during a visit to the production company Rosomak in Siemianowice Slaskie in Upper Silesia, the PAP news agency reports. According to the liberal-conservative politician, he received the order personally from Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal. The order will be financed with EU money for Poland and aid payments from the US to Ukraine, it said.

Defense Minister: Russia is significantly increasing ammunition production

But the other side is also upgrading. According to its own statements, Russia has increased its ammunition production many times over. “This applies to both ordinary and high-precision munitions,” Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a General Staff meeting on Saturday. This would enable Russia to achieve its war goals. In addition, efforts are being made to increase production. Schoigu’s statements could not be independently verified.

More than a year after the outbreak of war, both Ukraine and Russia are facing ammunition shortages. The West, on whose supplies Ukraine’s national defense depends, is also trying to expand its production. Months ago, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin called on the domestic arms industry to produce more weapons and ammunition. The companies work in a multi-shift system to meet the requirements of the military.

Ukraine imposes new sanctions on Russia

Meanwhile, Ukraine issued further sanctions against persons and companies from Russia and against a company on Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. President Zelenskyi on Saturday issued a decree on several blacklists of hundreds of companies, organizations and individuals alleged to have supported Russia’s offensive war. In most cases, the sanctions apply for a period of ten years.

The directors of arms factories and military research institutions are particularly affected. This sector is also particularly affected by companies. But sanctions were also imposed on the Russian Ministry of Finance and the Federation Council – the upper house of the Russian parliament. Among the most prominent names on the list are the wife and son of Russian ex-president Dmitry Medvedev, Svetlana and Ilya.

The head of the Cave Monastery in Kiev has been under house arrest for two months

Meanwhile, the head of the world-famous Kiev Cave Monastery, Pavlo Lebid, was caught up in judicial sanctions. He was placed under house arrest for two months. The cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is suspected of fomenting religious disputes and justifying Russia’s war of aggression, Ukrainian media reported from the courtroom. From now on, the head of the monastery must wear electronic ankle bracelets. Contact with believers is forbidden. The 61-year-old denies the allegations and speaks of a political process.

The background to this are disputes about the use of the cave monastery and the position of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the country in general. Until the beginning of the war, the Church was subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. Although she broke away from the patriarchy after the start of the conflict, she is still suspected of espionage and agitation for Moscow by the political leadership in Kiev. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, independent from Moscow, was founded in Kiev in 2018. In this context, the state has now withdrawn the right to use the cave monastery from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. But the monks who live there refuse to move. A lawsuit is pending.

That will be important on Sunday

Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, especially around the cities of Bakhmut and Avdiivka. In Kiev, supporters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are expected to respond to the house arrest of the head of the Cave Monastery. (sda/dpa)