Visas for the Russian Delegation to the UN General Assembly Becomes Key Issue in Talks with Washington
On August 18, the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, planned a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He indicated that obtaining visas for members of the Russian delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly would be the central topic of discussions with American officials. The UNGA session was scheduled to run from September 20 to 26, with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, leading the delegation.
Antonov said on the Rossiya-24 television channel that the embassy had already appealed to the White House and the State Department, requesting that the United States meet its responsibilities as the host country of UN headquarters and promptly issue visas for the minister and all members of the Russian delegation. He noted that many in Moscow are curious whether Lavrov will travel to New York for the Assembly, adding that Lavrov’s recent trips to Asia and Africa were well received and that hosts there were eager to meet him. The situation has drawn broad attention, with many looking forward to his presence at the UN General Assembly.
In response to these developments, the international organization stated it would continue assisting delegates in obtaining American visas. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told RIA Novosti that the UN is always working to facilitate visa issuance for those who must attend UN events.
Earlier this year, Washington imposed sanctions on Lavrov, barring him from entering the United States and freezing assets in the country. The Russian Foreign Ministry characterized these restrictions as illegitimate, asserting that Lavrov does not hold bank accounts abroad. The sanctions also extended to blocking business with “blacklisted” entities. The United States maintains that visa decisions for UN participants are governed by its laws and the 1947 agreement that establishes the UN headquarters in New York City, though it emphasizes that its primary duty is to adhere to those obligations.
Practically, visa issuance for UN delegates remains uneven. The Russian Federation Council remarked that Moscow would not be surprised by refusals, given ongoing tensions. Senator Grigory Krasin, a member of Russia’s UN delegation, suggested that such a denial would be a breach of obligations but did not rule out the possibility, arguing that the current climate has already stretched the boundaries of common sense and international law. State Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky warned that the risk of denial remained significant, while Senator Konstantin Kosachev described the situation as portraying the United States as an unpredictable actor in these actions.
The issue of visas for Russian delegates rose to prominence at the start of the month when Lavrov stated that he had previously sent a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres claiming that the United States had not fulfilled its duties as host nation. Guterres reportedly urged the American side to observe its commitments. On the same day, it was reported that the UN Secretary-General discussed the matter with Lavrov and the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Stefan Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN, indicated that UN representatives maintained close contact with relevant missions at the UN, including the host country and the Russian Federation.
In the United States, officials argued that visa matters are confidential under U.S. law. Nevertheless, they reiterated their commitment to fulfilling international obligations under the UN agreement and to engaging with all parties involved in UN activities.
In summary, the visa question at the UN General Assembly underscores ongoing tensions between Moscow and Washington. As discussions continue, the international community watches closely to see how the host nation’s policies will align with longstanding commitments to facilitate high-level participation in UN proceedings. Attribution: statements from the Russian delegation, UN spokespersons, and government officials are reported through multiple channels as noted in official briefings and press exchanges.