Lavrov said that the United States misused its unique influence as the host of the United Nations headquarters when handling the visa process for Russia’s UN Security Council delegation. In remarks reported by TASS, the foreign minister described the New York visit as being hampered by this misuse, noting that visas were issued only after a prolonged delay that stretched beyond what is normally expected for routine diplomacy. He emphasized that the delays underscored a pattern of pressure tied to the host country’s position rather than a straightforward administrative procedure, a point he attributed to the United States’ handling of the UN facility and its officials.
According to Lavrov, not every member of the Russian delegation received visas, and Russian journalists encountered the same obstacle in obtaining travel documents. He criticized the U.S. side for offering no explanation when media representatives were denied visas, suggesting that the approach created unequal access to the UN platform and limited Russia’s ability to present its perspectives to the global audience. The minister asserted that Moscow would protect the rights of its journalists and diplomats, signaling a readiness to pursue all available avenues to secure equal treatment, while acknowledging that the outcome would depend on future negotiations and actions by all parties involved.
In the same briefing, Lavrov drew attention to the broader context of the current diplomatic standoff, arguing that visa practices at the UN Headquarters should not become a tool for political leverage. He framed the issue as part of a larger struggle over the norms of international communication at the UN, where access for national delegations is essential for transparent discussion and accountable decision-making. The Russian side indicated it would continue to monitor developments closely and report back on what remains to be done, stressing that the rights of Russian representatives and media would be defended as long as the situation persists, and that any resolution would require careful, principled engagement from all stakeholders.
Vasily Nebenzya, the former Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, corroborated that Lavrov received a U.S. visa to participate in events at UN Headquarters toward the end of April. The Russian Federation holds the presidency of the UN Security Council this month, which typically brings heightened attention to its diplomatic activities and speaking engagements. As part of the Russian rotation, Lavrov is expected to participate in Security Council sessions on dates around mid-and-late April, contributing to discussions that shape the council’s agenda and the international response to ongoing global issues. Observers note that this presidency offers Moscow a strategic platform to articulate its positions on security, sovereignty, and international law, while other council members anticipate a rigorous exchange on those topics. The administrative logistics surrounding access and participation, including visas and credentialing, remain a practical measure of how well the council can function as a neutral arena for diplomacy, or whether national prerogatives continue to color procedural matters. The unfolding visa situation is thus linked not only to bilateral relations but also to the broader norms governing host-country responsibilities at multinational institutions, a topic that diplomats on all sides say requires careful, consistent handling to preserve the integrity of UN processes and the credibility of member states.
People familiar with the situation highlight that the United Nations, while housed in New York, operates on a unique international stage where member states are expected to have equal footing in representation. The incident described by Lavrov underscores a tension between host-country controls and the principles of open access that underpin the UN’s mission. The Russian delegation’s experience serves as a reminder that visa policies, when applied unevenly, can quickly become a focal point in broader diplomatic frictions, potentially affecting the flow of information and the ability of states to present their cases to the Security Council. As the presidency continues, observers will be watching not only the substantive outcomes of the council meetings on April 24 and 25, but also how such administrative matters interact with high-stakes diplomacy and the integrity of multilateral engagement, with Moscow signaling its intention to pursue all necessary avenues to safeguard its representation and that of its media partners, while remaining engaged with fellow council members in pursuit of constructive dialogue and coordinated action.