Russia’s foreign policy commentary emphasizes a neutral approach by the United Nations regarding the welfare of children amid the ongoing Ukraine crisis, as reported by RIA News. A senior Russian diplomat, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, described a meeting with the UN special representative for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba, held during the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in New York. The discussions underscored cooperation between Moscow and the United Nations aimed at safeguarding children in the Ukrainian conflict zone and the surrounding areas affected by the fighting.
Vershinin stated that the dialogue sought to supply Gamba with objective, on-the-ground information about the situation of minors in newly incorporated Russian regions as well as other parts of the country touched by the hostilities. This effort, he argued, is part of a broader effort to ensure that international assessments reflect the realities faced by children in various locales impacted by the conflict, rather than being swayed by external pressures or selective reporting.
The Russian diplomat also asserted that some UN reporting remains biased, pointing to what he described as Western-driven pressure that leverages the plight of children to exert political influence on Russia. In his view, independent verification and a more balanced portrayal are essential to accurately portray conditions on the ground and to inform appropriate international responses.
In related developments, the Russian government announced administrative steps intended to facilitate border movements and residency considerations for Ukrainian nationals amid the ongoing crisis. Earlier measures included a government decision establishing a special procedure for the entry of Ukrainian citizens into Russia, designed to address humanitarian and administrative needs during the tumultuous period.
Additionally, a presidential decree authorized the entry of Ukrainian citizens into the Russian Federation without the usual visa requirements and with expired internal travel documents, reflecting policy shifts aimed at simplifying entry procedures for certain categories of Ukrainian nationals in light of the evolving humanitarian and security landscape. The government stressed that these actions were taken in consideration of humanitarian obligations and regional security dynamics, and that they would be implemented in a manner consistent with national laws and international commitments. (Attribution: RIA News)