The permanent mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations condemned the United States for denying visas to Russian journalists, arguing that Washington has breached its obligations and blocked media access during events in New York connected to UN affairs. The statement, cited by TASS, urged the UN leadership and other international bodies to respond with appropriate measures toward the violator and to protect the rights of foreign correspondents assigned to cover important diplomatic activities in the United States.
According to the mission, the United States again failed to comply with its international commitments under the UN Convention on Central Organs by not issuing visas to the Russian journalists who were meant to accompany Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on his visit to New York. The delegation traveled to participate in events of global significance hosted by the United Nations, including moments tied to the presidency of the Security Council. The mission asserted that all formalities and deadlines were fulfilled by the Russian media representatives, including UN accreditation, and that the hold-up was a clear deviation from established norms protecting access to international channels of information.
The statement characterized the visa refusal as a disregard for international law and a direct affront to the principles of freedom of expression and information access. It described the move as a troubling indicator of the United States’ current stance toward media freedom and the ability of foreign journalists to perform their duties in a diplomatic setting, emphasizing that such actions undermine the transparency that underpins international dialogue. The Russian side stressed that this incident would be remembered and weighed in future discussions on media rights at the United Nations and in related forums (attribution: Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN).
Earlier remarks from Lavrov echoed a resolve not to forget the visa denials, signaling a potential pattern that could influence forthcoming interactions with Western border policies and press access during high-profile UN engagements. The remark underscored a broader demand for consistent, predictable access for foreign journalists who report on official delegations and major international events, and it highlighted concerns about how visa practices may affect diplomatic communication and public accountability (attribution: Foreign Ministry spokesperson statements).
As April approaches, Russia is set to chair the United Nations Security Council, a role that amplifies the significance of press access during council sessions. Historically, visa practices concerning Russian officials and their media corps have drawn attention whenever Moscow holds the rotating presidency, given the emphasis on openness and scrutiny in Security Council deliberations. In this cycle, Lavrov is scheduled to participate in Security Council meetings on April 24 and 25, a detail that local and international observers note could put a spotlight on how member states manage media presence during pivotal discussions on international peace and security. Observers suggest that the incident may influence broader conversations about media rights, diplomatic protocol, and the responsibilities of UN member states to facilitate reporting from the heart of international governance (attribution: United Nations archival reports and ministry press summaries).