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 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. File photo  - Sputnik International

LIVE UPDATES: Lavrov Arrives in NYC to Chair UNSC Meetings

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The United States' decision not to issue visas to Russian journalists in time to participate in the work of the UN Security Council are in stark contrast with its pledges to protect freedom of speech, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday.
The Russian foreign minister noted that, while he knew that the United States has a penchant for doing such things – in this particular case, not issuing visas for Russian journalists who were supposed to accompany his delegation to the UN – he was hoping that things would be different this time in light of all the attention to the United States’ outrageous behavior.
"Most importantly, you can rest assured: we will not forget and we will not forgive," Lavrov stated.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has also condemned the United States’ failure to issue visas to Russian journalists who were supposed to accompany their country's delegation to the UN Security Council session in New York and pledged response measures.
"The Americans pulled yet another outrageous and totally unacceptable trick in preparation for the participation of Russian Foreign Minister [Sergey] Lavrov in the events of the outgoing Russian presidency of the UN Security Council. A group of Russian journalists who were to accompany Lavrov on this trip were not issued visas until the very last moment. The Americans pretended that they were working and that a solution was about to be found," Ryabkov told the reporters who arrived at an airport to leave for New York.
United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York. - Sputnik International, 1920, 18.04.2023
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He added that this situation was "a game of nerves, a mockery, and yet another reflection of the fact that our colleagues in Washington are not only not to be trusted, they are simply not worth listening to."
"We have repeatedly contacted them on this issue over the last few days. Nevertheless, the result, as you can see, is deplorable, even though we were given assurances that visas are on the way, are about to be issued. All of this is a lie. This is an outright lie, and it does not paint a good picture of the country that hosts the UN Headquarters. The journalists were supposed to cover the most important event of the Russian presidency of the UN Security Council," Ryabkov said.
He stressed that all the events that Lavrov is scheduled to attend in New York are "high-profile newsworthy events."
"And our press pool was bound to be with us. That didn't happen. The responsibility lies squarely on the American side," Ryabkov said, stressing that Moscow will find ways to respond to this move "so that Americans remember for a long time that this is not the way things are done."
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the US not issuing visas to Russian journalists is a blatant manipulation of the freedom of speech issue and of journalists' rights.
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05:06 GMT 24.04.2023
Lavrov to Meet With UN Secretary-General, Chair UN Debate on Multilateralism on Monday
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and chair a high-level open debate at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on effective multilateralism through the defense of the UN Charter's principles on Monday.

The top Russian diplomat is expected to discuss with Guterres a series of issues relating to Russia-UN relations and a number of joint efforts, including the Black Sea grain initiative.

Speaking at the UNSC, Lavrov will hold a comprehensive, a forward-looking strategic debate on the makings of international peace and security. A special place in the discussion will be devoted to the protection of the democratic principles of the UN Charter, based on the sovereign equality of states.
04:34 GMT 24.04.2023
About 3Mln People Followed Lavrov's Flight From Moscow to NYC on Flightradar - MFA Spokeswoman
According to Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, about three million people followed Lavrov’s flight from Moscow to New York on the Flightradar tracking website, making it the most tracked flight of the day.
03:50 GMT 24.04.2023
Lavrov Arrives in New York
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in New York, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova informs.
"Sergey Lavrov has arrived in New York. Tomorrow, a meeting of the UN Security Council will be held under his chairmanship," Zakharova said on Telegram late on Sunday night.
Deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary General Farhan Haq refrained on Sunday from commenting on the US refusal to issue visas to Russian journalists who were supposed to accompany Foreign Minister Lavrov to the UN Security Council.
Lavrov will chair two meetings of the UN Security Council on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, he is also scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
16:24 GMT 23.04.2023
Russia Expects UN to Respond to US' Non-Issuance of Visas to Russian Journalists - Mission
Russia expects the United Nations leadership and specialized international mechanisms to take the necessary steps in connection with the United States' non-issuance of visas to the Russian journalists who were to accompany Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the UN Security Council session in New York, the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN said on Sunday.
"We count on the UN leadership and specialized international mechanisms to pay due attention to this egregious situation and take all necessary steps against the violator," the statement read.
The mission slammed Washington's decision to deny US visas to Russian journalists, pointing out that "Russian media representatives complied with all relevant terms and requirements, including a valid UN accreditation."
"We consider this step as another manifestation of neglect of the international law by the United States. When denying access to UN events for Russian journalists, the US authorities once again demonstrate their true attitude to freedom of speech and availability of information," the mission added.
15:40 GMT 23.04.2023
UN Declines to Comment on US Refusal to Issue Visas to Russian Journalists
Deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary General Farhan Haq refrained on Sunday from commenting on the United States' refusal to issue visas to the Russian journalists who were supposed to accompany Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the UN Security Council.
"I have no comment," Haq told Sputnik.
Moscow slammed Washington's decision not to issue visas to journalists, adding that the United States breached its pledges to protect freedom of speech.
Lavrov will chair two meetings of the UN Security Council on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, he is also scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
14:14 GMT 23.04.2023
14:08 GMT 23.04.2023
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14:08 GMT 23.04.2023
US Journalists in Russia to Feel Fallout From US Denying Visas to Russian Reporters
US journalists working in Russia are set to face the repercussions of their country's decision not to issue visas to the Russian journalists who were supposed to travel to New York to cover the end of Moscow's presidency in the UN Security Council, a diplomatic source told journalists on Sunday.
"After the attitude that Washington has demonstrated toward Russian journalists and journalism in general, I think it would not be surprising for them to see a similar attitude toward their own journalists. And now it is obvious that the concern they have for journalist [Evan] Gershkovich, who was caught red-handed, is a sham concern. He is of no interest to them either as a journalist – otherwise they would not be disparaging Russian citizens – or as a US citizen. And it's all just words, hypocrisy, and lies," the source said, adding that there is no doubt that American journalists in Russia "will experience all the discomfort and inconvenience, and similar treatment."
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