The White House encouraged Russia on Thursday to act professionally when it takes over the UN Security Council president as scheduled next month, stating that there was no way to prevent Moscow from holding the position.

In a news briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We urge Russia to conduct themselves professionally.” We anticipate that Russia will keep using its position on the council to disseminate false information and defend its activities in Ukraine.

“Unfortunately, Russia is a permanent member of the Security Council and no feasible international legal pathway exists to change that reality,” Jean-Pierre said. “The reality is this is a larger position, which rotates to council members month by month in alphabetical order.”