Russia sends foreign minister to UNGA

Moscow is sending a foreign minister to the UN General Assembly in New York.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation to the UN General Assembly UNGA scheduled for the end of September in New York, the Kremlin announced on Monday.

President Vladimir Putin hasn't decided to travel to the UNGA or address the event online, according to the Kremlin on Monday. The Russian president signed a directive designating Lavrov as the head of the Russian delegation.

It's not known whether the US will allow Lavrov to enter the country, even for the global event due to sanctions.

He will be accompanied by the Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia, Senator Grigory Karasin and Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky, who chaired the foreign affairs committees of their respective parliamentary chambers.

In March 2014, the US government sanctioned Slutsky over his support for Crimea rejoining Russia. Lavrov was added to the sanctions list on February 25, as Washington accused him of being directly responsible for Russia's unprovoked and unlawful invasion of Ukraine. Russia has criticized the embargo by the US and its allies as being unilateral and illegitimate.

The UN General AssemblyUN General Assembly takes place in the World Body's New York headquarters on the East River in the third week of September. This year s 77th session will run from September 20 - 26.

Washington is responsible for recognizing the individuals who are accredited by the UN under a series of treaties and conventions governing the US role as the host country of the UN. They are given full diplomatic immunity with respect to their official duties.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said last week he was going to New York and address the UNGA, even though the US sanctioned him in November 2019.