Russia assumes chairmanship of UN Security Council

Today Russia assumed chairmanship of the UN Security Council. In June the body is expected to focus on the situation in the Middle East, Africa and Afghanistan.

According to the Russian envoy to the UN, Vitaly Curkin, as the new chair of the Security Council, Russia is going to cooperate with all the powers in order to find a compromise solution to existing problems.

"Russia has always been ready to cooperate with all members of the Security Council and look for compromise solutions to all problems," Churkin is quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

The UN Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions; it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions on member states.