US Denies Visa to Russian Interior Minister, Preventing Attendance at UN Summit

The US authorities have refused to issue a visa to Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev for participation in the summit of police chiefs from UN member countries. This was reported on September 1 by RIA Novosti, citing Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's permanent representative to the UN.

“The participation of the Russian delegation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, headed by Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, has been disrupted due to the actions of the American side. This is yet another gross violation by the United States of its obligations under the Central Authorities Agreement,” the agency quoted him as saying.

The permanent representative insists that the issuance of visas by Washington is not a privilege but an international legal obligation.