The United States did not issue a visa to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation Kolokoltsev to participate in the UN summit

The United States disrupted the speech of the head of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, without issuing him a visa to participate in the summit of the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the UN, said Vasily Nebenzya, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN.

“Due to the actions of the American side, the participation in the summit of the Russian delegation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, headed by Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, was disrupted. The Russian delegation was simply not issued a visa,” said Nebenzya (quote according to RIA Novosti), adding that this is yet another flagrant violation by the United States of its obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement.

In addition, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN said that the issuance of visas for delegates is an international legal obligation, not a privilege.

Previously, RIA Novosti also reportedthat UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the heads of the Ministries of Internal Affairs of the countries to strengthen cooperation with the organization. He stated that it is necessary to help expand the capabilities of the UN, including technological ones, in order to “keep pace with the needs of today and tomorrow.”

Russian diplomats have repeatedly criticized the US visa policy. Often, the accusations related to the exclusion of Russian representatives from international events. Thus, on July 19, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Vershinin said that the UN should convince the United States to fulfill its obligations to issue visas to participate in the events of the world organization.

August 17 Russian Embassy in Washington turned to the administration of the US President and the State Department with the requirement to issue visas to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergei Lavrov, and the entire delegation to participate in the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. The Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, said then that the Russian Federation would continue to insist on ensuring the unimpeded entry of all diplomats participating in the UN General Assembly session.

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