International Desk: A top Ukrainian official has criticised the “symbolic blow” of Russia assuming the rotating presidency of the United Nations security council.

Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, wrote on Twitter on Saturday: “It’s not just a shame. It is another symbolic blow to the rules-based system of international relations.”

Russia on Saturday took over the presidency of the UN’s top security body, which rotates every month.

The last time Moscow held the post was in February 2022, when its troops launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reports.

On Friday the Kremlin said it planned to “exercise all its rights” in the role.

The US has urged Russia to “conduct itself professionally” when it assumes the role, saying there is no means to block Moscow from the post.

Yermak also hit out at Iran, whom Kyiv and its allies accuse of supplying Russia with arms, including hundreds of assault drones that have menaced Ukrainian infrastructure facilities. Tehran denies supplying Russia with weapons.

Referring to Iran’s Islamic Republic Day holiday, Yermak said: “It is very telling that on the holiday of one terror state – Iran, another terror state – Russia – begins to preside over the UN security council.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top security agency has notified a top Orthodox priest that he is suspected of justifying Russia’s aggression, which is a criminal offence.