Lavrov goes to New York: the United States issued him a visa to participate in the UN General Assembly

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and diplomats from the Russian delegation received US visas. Now they are ready to go to the session of the UN General Assembly in New York. This was reported in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, writes RBC.

“Today, visas were issued to Lavrov and a number of accompanying persons,” the diplomatic department said.

The 77th session of the UN General Assembly will be held from 20 to 26 September in New York. This time the meeting will take place in person, unlike the previous 2 years, when diplomats met online due to coronavirus restrictions. On behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian delegation will be headed by Lavrov. He is due to speak at the session on 24 September.

Ten more people will fly with him to New York. Among them are Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Vershinin, Chairman of the International Committee of the Federation Council Grigory Karasin. As well as the permanent representative of Russia to the UN Vasily Nebenzya.

Recall, Washington has previously said that it may refuse to issue visas to Lavrov and the Russian delegation for security reasons and because of the threat of terrorism. In addition, the US State Department held the Russian Foreign Minister "directly responsible for Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine." Sanctions imposed by Washington on Lavrov freeze any assets Lavrov may have in the United States and generally prohibit Americans from doing business with him.

Therefore, until September 13, the issuance of visas to Russian diplomats was in question.