Russia has accused the United States of violating its obligations by denying a visa to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov to attend a UN Security Council meeting in New York. Moscow views the move as a breach of the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement.

Russian UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council on Tuesday that Alimov, who oversees UN affairs, was supposed to represent Russia. Despite efforts to persuade the US, the visa was not granted, he said.

Nebenzia called the denial a violation of the treaty requiring the US to issue visas to diplomats for UN functions. He also said it showed disrespect for China's presidency of the Security Council in May.

The US State Department did not immediately comment. The visa dispute comes amid fluctuating US-Russia tensions as President Donald Trump pushes to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has held talks with Vladimir Putin, but sanctions against Moscow remain.

Both Putin and Trump recently visited China. Earlier, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi canceled his participation in the same Security Council meeting due to visa issues. In 2025, the US imposed strict limits on the Iranian delegation's movement in New York.

Source: www.aljazeera.com