US visa denial keeps Russian diplomat from China-led Security Council meeting

The United States denied a visa to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov, preventing him from attending a China-led UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday.

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, condemned the decision as a breach of Washington’s obligations as host nation of the United Nations. He also described it as a snub to China, which holds the Security Council’s rotating presidency.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was also reportedly denied a visa for the same meeting. The session focused on upholding the UN Charter and strengthening multilateral cooperation.

A UN spokesman reiterated the expectation that host countries issue visas for all participants in UN activities. The episode added a procedural and diplomatic dispute to a meeting centred on multilateral norms and the role of the UN Charter.