NEW YORK, Oct. 14 - Diplomats expect no surprises in Thursday's elections for new members of the Security Council but there will almost certainly be some fireworks when Ukraine joins the U.N.'s most powerful body, where arch opponent Russia has a permanent seat, AP reported.

This year's election is uncontested — five candidates for five seats as non-permanent members.

The only requirement for the candidates — Ukraine, Egypt, Japan, Senegal and Uruguay — is that they win approval from two-thirds of the 193 U.N. member states. So their election is virtually assured and the five countries will join the council for two-year terms starting on Jan. 1.