WASHINGTON — Russia’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council on May 26 that the United States refused to grant a visa to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov, who had planned to attend a council meeting chaired by China’s foreign minister.
Nebenzia said Alimov, who handles UN-related affairs for the Russian foreign ministry, was invited to represent Moscow at the session but was blocked after Russian efforts to secure a U.S. visa failed. He argued the denial breached U.S. obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement, which he said requires access to the UN headquarters for officials of member states.
Speaking at the 15-member council, Nebenzia described the move as a sign of disrespect for both the Chinese presidency of the Security Council and the meeting’s focus on the U.N. Charter. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.