Nebenzya calls himself a Ukrainian - Foreign Ministry's reaction

Russian Permanent Representative Nebenzya declares Ukrainian origin

Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Vasyl Nebenzya claimed to be of Ukrainian descent and have a «Cossack surname», and repeated the thesis that Russians and Ukrainians are «one people».

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted sharply.

Position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa stressed that Ukraine is a sovereign European state against which Russia is waging war.

«Ukraine is a sovereign European state... and we will not be one nation,» she stressed.

Context in the UN General Assembly

The day before, the UN General Assembly considered a resolution in support of a lasting peace in Ukraine.

The US reportedly abstained from voting after its amendment to soften language on Ukraine's territorial integrity was not supported.