Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia announced on 26/5 that Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov was unable to attend a Security Council session, where he was scheduled to represent Moscow, because the US denied his visa. Nebenzia stated that Russia's efforts to persuade the US to grant Alimov a visa were unsuccessful.

A 1947 agreement, which established the United Nations headquarters in New York, obligates the US as the host country to issue free and prompt visas to diplomats attending UN activities.

Ambassador Nebenzia asserted that the US's visa denial for Deputy Minister Alimov violated its host country obligations and demonstrated disrespect towards China, the rotating president of the Security Council for May.

"This represents a serious act of disrespect towards China's Security Council presidency, particularly given that the United Nations Charter was the discussion's focus," the Russian ambassador stated.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov. Photo: TASS

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the Security Council session, urging members to "breathe new life" into the United Nations Charter amid rising global instability and conflict.

The US Department of State declined to comment on Russia's allegations. United Nations spokesperson Farhan Haq, however, expressed an expectation for the host country to ensure visas for all individuals required to attend activities at the New York headquarters.

Diplomatic sources informed Al Jazeera that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was also denied a visa for the session. A UN spokesperson previously confirmed Araghchi's inability to be in New York, stating he would not attend a scheduled meeting with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, but did not provide a reason.

This visa dispute unfolds as Washington and Moscow's relations have generally seen reduced tensions, following US President Donald Trump's push for negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict and renewed contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite this, the US maintains numerous sanctions against Russia related to the conflict in Ukraine.