Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov drew the attention of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Washington’s refusal to issue visas for members of the Russian Federation traveling to the United Nations headquarters. This was conveyed during a meeting on April 24, as reported by the press service of the Russian foreign policy representation. Lavrov stressed that the United States continues to block access for Russian officials to key UN events and conferences, undermining routine diplomatic engagement and the ability of Moscow to participate fully in the world body’s activities. The minister underscored that the visa denial directly affects Russia’s official representatives preparing to attend sessions at the UN headquarters and that such actions are inconsistent with the spirit of open international dialogue that the UN charter calls for.
Lavrov also highlighted ongoing restrictions on Russian diplomats, including unlawful handling of Russian diplomatic property and measures that impede freedom of movement for Moscow’s diplomats. He called on Guterres to initiate arbitration procedures with immediate effect, in line with resolutions passed by the General Assembly that authorize such steps when a permanent mission faces visa and access barriers. The message from the Russian side emphasized that arbitration is a clear and lawful mechanism intended to resolve disputes that obstruct the normal functioning of the United Nations and to restore the ability of member states to engage without impediment in the UN system.
Russia will chair the UN Security Council in April, a role that traditionally requires full participation by the countries on the council. Previously, the United States did not issue visas to Lavrov and to the Russian delegation, preventing their participation in UN events. The current residency of Moscow in the presidency raises questions about how visa policies influence the council’s work and the handling of international crises that require timely and coordinated responses from all permanent members. The Russian side noted these visa denials as part of a broader pattern that complicates diplomatic exchanges and the implementation of UN decisions, as reported by official channels.
Observers may wonder how Moscow will respond to ongoing visa restrictions for Russian journalists and whether Moscow will seek reciprocal measures or other avenues to ensure access for media professionals covering UN affairs. The Russian foreign policy representation pointed out that such restrictions touch on fundamental rights of journalists to report from international venues and can affect the transparency of UN deliberations. It was made clear that the issue will continue to be monitored and addressed in accordance with applicable UN rules and international practice, with an emphasis on safeguarding the free flow of information essential to public understanding of UN operations.
Lavrov also drew attention to a remark attributed to the United States embassy in Moscow, which reportedly suggested readiness to issue passports with visas to Russian journalists as a plane carrying diplomats departed for New York. The minister characterized the remark as sarcastic and inappropriate, noting that it underscored the inconsistent handling of visa matters and the timing of such announcements as a matter of diplomatic signal rather than substance. The remark was reported by the press service of the Russian foreign policy representation and was presented to underscore concerns about respect for established diplomatic norms and procedures that govern movement to and from UN venues.