The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed surprise at Saudi Arabia's rejection on October 18 of a rotating seat on the UN Security Council.
A statement on the ministry's website said Saudi Arabia's "arguments arouse bewilderment."
It also said "the criticism of the UN Security Council in the context of the Syria conflict is particularly strange."
Saudi Arabia said it turned down the seat because the UN Security Council is ineffective at ending conflicts and wars.
It cited "double standards" that prevent the council from carrying out its responsibilities toward world peace.
France said that it shares Saudi Arabia's "frustration" about the Security Council.
Saudi Arabia won a seat on the Council this week along with Chad, Chile, Lithuania, and Nigeria.
A statement on the ministry's website said Saudi Arabia's "arguments arouse bewilderment."
It also said "the criticism of the UN Security Council in the context of the Syria conflict is particularly strange."
Saudi Arabia said it turned down the seat because the UN Security Council is ineffective at ending conflicts and wars.
It cited "double standards" that prevent the council from carrying out its responsibilities toward world peace.
France said that it shares Saudi Arabia's "frustration" about the Security Council.
Saudi Arabia won a seat on the Council this week along with Chad, Chile, Lithuania, and Nigeria.