Russia urges US to grant permission for Foreign Minister Lavrov's plane to New York

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (Photo: Reuters).

"We urge Washington to immediately issue visas to our delegation as well as journalists. Otherwise, you will be considered to be violating the obligations of the country hosting the UN headquarters, hindering the full implementation of the organization's functions," Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov warned on April 13.

Mr. Antonov emphasized that Russia hopes that US officials "will quickly grant permission for the flight (of Foreign Minister Lavrov and his delegation) unconditionally and without any restrictions."

According to Mr. Antonov, the journalists accompanying the Russian delegation were scheduled to get visas on March 31, but the US side canceled the appointment at the last minute without giving an explanation.

Previously, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov confirmed that the Russian delegation had not received any visas from the US.

Russia took over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council on April 1 amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West due to the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine has accused Russia of violating international law and called for Moscow to be expelled from the Security Council. However, Foreign Minister Lavrov stressed last month that removing Russia, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, was impossible. The Kremlin has also said it would fulfill its obligations under the Security Council presidency despite tensions with the West.

Since Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine in late February last year, the US has imposed personal sanctions on senior Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov. Russian officials have repeatedly criticized the “illegal” US restrictions for preventing the Russian delegation from participating in the General Assembly.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-hoi-thuc-my-cap-phep-cho-may-bay-cua-ngoai-truong-lavrov-den-new-york-20230414073018268.htm