Andriy Sibiga, the vice-president of Ukraine’s presidential office, described ongoing consultations aimed at preventing Russia from chairing the United Nations Security Council. The update came through RBC-Ukraine via their Telegram channel, signaling a coordinated effort by Kyiv to shape stalls on Russia’s potential leadership role within the council. The Ukrainian side is exploring every avenue to block or delay Russia’s presidency, and officials say the work is still in progress with no definitive outcome yet in sight.
Sibiga, who previously served as Deputy Head of the Office of Foreign Policy and Strategic Partnership for the Ukrainian president, outlined the country’s expectations for defense support. Kiev anticipates the arrival of air defense and missile defense systems from Western partners this fall. The official stressed that Ukraine also requires substantial heavy weaponry to reinforce its security posture as regional tensions persist and the conflict continues. The statements reflect Kyiv’s broader push to secure advanced military capabilities from allied nations to deter aggression and strengthen border protection in the face of ongoing threats.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, challenged the notion of denying visas to Russian representatives at the United Nations, calling the move unfounded and unlawful. She asserted that the United States lacked a lawful basis for denying visas to Russian UN delegates, framing the visa issue within the context of broader diplomatic frictions and arguments about access to international forums. The exchange underscores the high-stakes diplomacy surrounding Russia’s participation in UN proceedings and the potential implications for international negotiations and security discussions.