Russian Diplomat Says Zelensky Didn't Ask to Address U.N. During Visit

A Russian diplomat criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday for allegedly not pursuing an in-person conversation with members of the United Nations Security Council in New York during his recent visit to the United States.

Zelensky traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this week for his first known trip outside Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine war began in late February.

Dmitry Polyanskiy, the first deputy permanent representative of Russia to the U.N., said Zelensky did not attempt to set up any U.N. meetings in New York, despite previously asking to address the U.N. Security Council virtually.

"When we opposed @ZelenskyyUa speaking in UN Security Council via video link we were told that 'due to war' he is not able to come to brief us in person," Polyanskiy said in a Friday afternoon tweet. "Now he comes in person to beg US for more weapons bypassing NY and not even asking to address SC which was feasible."

Polyanskiy said in a second tweet that it was "clear" Zelensky "is not ready for a dialogue with UN SC members or at least to listen to them."

"I hope that after such hubris towards UN from his part we will not face more requests to see him on the screen in breach of the rules of procedure," Polyanskiy added.

Newsweek reached out to the U.N. Security Council for comment.

Polyanskiy is among the few diplomats with the U.N. Security Council who opposed earlier requests from Zelensky's office for the Ukrainian president to present prerecorded remarks in the chamber.

Zelensky has avoided traveling outside Ukraine throughout the war, with his recent U.S. visit occurring just days before Ukraine marks 10 months since Russia's invasion began.

Zelensky traveled to the U.S. capital on December 21. He first met with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House, where the two leaders held a meeting before delivering remarks at a joint press conference. Zelensky later went to Capitol Hill to speak before a special joint session of Congress.

During his remarks in the U.S., Zelensky thanked Biden and Congress for security aid packages the U.S. has provided Ukraine over the course of the war, calling the funding "an investment in the global security of democracy." He told Congress that his country "will never surrender" to Russia.

Russian officials criticized Zelensky and the U.S. this week, both for Zelensky's visit and for the latest U.S. security packages.

One official with the Russian State Duma International Affairs Committee said U.S. allies tend to end up "in the dustbin of history" and suggested Zelensky made a "fatal mistake" by aligning with the U.S.

A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin's office also said a plan to provide Ukraine with new weapons as part of the latest U.S. aid package "does not bode well for Ukraine."