Because of "terrorism": Zelenskyj: Security Council should exclude Russia

The UN Security Council called a special session after the attack on a shopping center in Kremenchuk, Ukraine.

Because of "terrorism": Zelenskyj: Security Council should exclude Russia

The UN Security Council called a special session after the attack on a shopping center in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. President Selenskyj is also connected at short notice. The representative of Russia reacted indignantly.

In a surprising message to the UN Security Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for action against Russia over its attack on Ukraine. Russia is not allowed to participate in the panel's discussions and votes as long as its "terrorism" persists, primarily against Ukrainian civilians, Zelenskyy said in the video link. "I urge you to withdraw the rights of the terrorist state delegation," he said. However, he is unlikely to be successful, because Russia, as one of five veto powers in the Security Council, can prevent such measures.

Zelenskyy also advocated an independent investigation into Russian military actions. "It is imperative to set up a tribunal to investigate everything that the Russian military has done against the Ukrainians," said Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian President listed a number of attacks by the Russian side in which bystanders - including children and the elderly - were killed. The deliberations of the most powerful UN body were convened after the alleged Russian attack on a shopping center. According to the latest reports, at least 20 people died in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk - dozens were injured, some seriously.

At Zelenskyy's request, the representatives of all 15 member states of the Security Council, including Russia, rose to a minute's silence for the Ukrainians killed in the conflict. Russia reacted angrily to Zelenskyy's appearance. This was put on the agenda at the last moment and not coordinated with all members, complained the deputy Russian ambassador to the UN, Dmitri Polyanski. He spoke of a violation of the usual practice of working in the UN Security Council. According to the top Russian diplomat, the body is not a platform for a PR campaign by the Ukrainian president for new arms deliveries.