US denies visa to Russia's deputy foreign minister ahead of UNGA session, Kremlin calls it 'unfriendly act'
As the visa row brings back the attention to US-Russia tensions, the world's diplomatic spotlight turns to New York as world leaders gather for the UNGA.
The Kremlin on Tuesday criticised the US for its ‘unfriendly act’ as it alleged that the United States had denied visa to Russia's deputy foreign minister Alexander Alimov ahead of the UN General Assembly in New York, Reuters reported.
Law enforcement secures an entrance to the United Nations (UN) during the start of the General Assembly on September 21, 2026. (Getty Images via AFP)
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As the visa row brings back the attention to US-Russia tensions, the world's diplomatic spotlight turns to New York on Tuesday as presidents, prime ministers and senior representatives from across the globe gather at United Nations Headquarters for the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Track live updates on UNGA
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to attend the session in New York, marking his first visit to the US ever since the Middle East war broke out. China has said its vice president will attend the session.
Wars, climate change, development, emerging technologies and the future of multilateralism set to dominate the agenda.
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Deep Dive
Why did the US deny a visa to Russia's deputy foreign minister ahead of the UN General Assembly?
The US denied the visa to Russia's deputy foreign minister Alexander Alimov, which the Kremlin criticized as an 'unfriendly act' amid escalating US-Russia tensions.
What impact does the denial of visas for Iranian officials have on their participation in the UN General Assembly?
The denial of visas for members of the Iranian delegation, including communications staff, restricts their ability to fully participate in the UN General Assembly and present Iran's positions.
How does the US's visa policy relate to its broader strategy against Iran and Russia during the UN General Assembly?
The US's visa policies towards Iranian and Russian officials underscore its strategy to exert pressure on both nations, reflecting ongoing geopolitical tensions ahead of significant discussions at the UN General Assembly.
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The General Debate begins on Tuesday (local time) and will run through September 26 before resuming on September 28, bringing leaders of the UN's 193 member states to the iconic green marble podium to outline their countries' priorities. The UN says nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to attend the High-Level Week.
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The General Debate begins on Tuesday (local time) and will run through September 26 before resuming on September 28, bringing leaders of the UN's 193 member states to the iconic green marble podium to outline their countries' priorities. The UN says nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to attend the High-Level Week.
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This year's gathering comes against a backdrop of widening geopolitical divisions and pressure on the multilateral system.
Presiding over the 81st session is UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh, with the theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all."
For India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation and will represent New Delhi during the General Assembly's high-level proceedings.
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