The US decision not to issue visas to the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the Russian delegation he hoped to lead at a forthcoming UN Security Council meeting has prompted an outburst by the Russian ambassador to the USA, Anatoliy Antonov, on his Russian Embassy Telegram Channel.

 

"We call on Washington not to delay issuing visas to our delegation, including our journalists. The denial of visas violates the United States' obligation as the host country of the UN headquarters, impeding the proper, full functioning of the world organization."

 

The request for visas for the Russian delegation and journalists was sent to the US Embassy in Moscow at the end of March. However, to date, not a single-entry permit has been issued.

 

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov planned to arrive on a special plane to chair a UN Security Council meeting and according to the Russian diplomat, US authorities "have not coordinated the arrival of the plane." This is in spite of the fact that the event is only a few days away. Moscow must now be unsure as to whether or not it will go ahead.

Advertisement

 

"We expect that the Americans will promptly grant permission for the plane (to enter US airspace) without any conditions or restrictions," the Russian ambassador stressed.

 

In April 2023, Russia, which is waging a full-scale war against Ukraine for over a year, is presiding over the UN Security Council having replaced Mozambique as chair.

‘Get Moving, Europe!’ – Ukraine at War Update for April 19
Other Topics of Interest

‘Get Moving, Europe!’ – Ukraine at War Update for April 19

Trump chimes in on Ukraine-aid bill; More drone strikes on nuclear plant; Zelensky announces ramped-up domestic production of howitzers; Budanov predicts heightened attacks in June.
To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Comments (21)

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Rob
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

The only thing that impedes the work of the UN Security Council is the presence of Russian representatives. Well done the US I hope you stick to your guns and not allow entry to the Russian liars. Failing that the UN should be disbanded and replaced with Nations United with majority voting and no aggresive countries representatives.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Rob
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Except for the UN Ambassador and one translator, I think the visas for every member of the Russian UN delegation should be revoked. Security personnel, clerical personnel, their families, building maintenance staff, should all be given 48 hours to leave the country. The building itself should be targeted for a cyber attack that disables all telecommunications in and out.

I know these won't happen. Still, a boy can dream.

Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Marci Nelson
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

1. UN Security Council Seat Belonged to the falied USSR Not the ruSSian 'Federation'. Therefore, the RU have no right to be in the UN.

2. As a tErrorist State Committing GENOCIDE on the Ukrainian People, the RU must be held accountable, & treated as the tErrorists that they are.

3. RU have weaponized food, & energy, & daily bombing of utilities, are Crimes in the Geneva Conventions.

Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦 Glory to the Heroes!
🇺🇦 = Unbreakable Spirit, & Freedom!

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Peter Stemkowski
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

The height of lunacy is Russia chairing the "Security" Council. Time to disband this modern day League of Nations.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Corey Robertson
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Only a single person is required to chair that seat. The US might very well be obligated to ensure that said person is able to chair that seat. They are not in any way obligated to make sure that anyone else sets foot on US soil. That includes assistants bodyguards or other such personnel.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
David
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Lazaro.v apparently has some disingenuous spin to sell. Nobody wants to buy. Why does he think otherwise?

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Simon
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Regardless of my feelings regarding TerroRussia they should not be banned from the UN. It sets a dangerous precedent. The UN must stay neutral for it to have any relevance. Administrations can and do change. They next US administration could well be more supportive of Russia, which is actually a real possibility. How would everyone feel if Zelensky is blocked from the UN?

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Delaware
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Kick the nazi russians out of the un security council for ever !

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Richard Hanrahan
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

It could be that the Americans are waiting until the last minute. I don’t think they have said “no” yet.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
NAFO trol
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

They can't chair the security council if they can't reach the building :-D

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Alexander Kagan
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

I listened to Russian Ambassador speeches regarding these Visas to Sergei Lavrov and others.
They try to show themselves as victims of American aggression and injustice towards them . They still call a full scale war against Ukrainian people as some liberating special military operation
No place to Russia in the Security Council
No place to officials from country - aggressor on American land

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Jim Sprinkle
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Just keep the Russians from attending until their term is over. What’s not to like? Maybe they’ll release the WSJ journalist in exchange for UN access, but I doubt it.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Patgenie
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

The Security Council has no logical rules of engagement. There is no logical constitution that sets standards that relate to the UN charter and it's goals. Ergo, the UN SC is completely disfunctional and its history of service is proof. What's even worse
.. Literally everyone knows this and yet we still have it and we can't change it.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Brad Arnold
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

The US will soon lose all the privilege it had gained after WWII. No reserve currency, no hosting the UN.

NAFO trol
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Brad Arnold, Russia is violating the UN charter, and nothing has happened. So the US doesn't need to play by the rules, either!

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
trazom
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

This is all the leverage the US has left. Sad and pathetic.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Deryk Houston
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

This is totally wrong and is so childish. It also illustrates the reason why the USA has wiped itself off it's own perch and why humans will not be able to avoid nuclear war. We need leaders. Not idiots.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Dieter
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Oh, make them bring that journalist that they are holding with them to New York and only allow them to deplane if that man comes down the jetstairs first. How cool would that be. Kamala should be there to welcome him back to the US. The rest of the Russian delegation can call for Ubers to their hotels. Let's play some hardball.

Alex
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Dieter,

Alex
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Alex,

NAFO trol
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Alex, fascinating.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Thomas
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

No visas until our people being held hostage are released .

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Bklynjames
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Lets see what the Spring Offensive brings..

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
Rainsford Horrocks
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

Totally agree he and his delegation should be banned. Their puppet in New York can fulfill their responsibility to chair the farcically named UN Security Council.

Wayne Laycock
This comment contains spoilers. Click here if you want to read.

@Rainsford Horrocks,
Lavrov is living in fantasy land if he thinks the USA will let such a facist in to chair the UN Security council, all the while holding US citizens hostage in Russia under trumped up charges and kangaroo courts.

https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png
https://www.kyivpost.com/assets/images/author.png