The Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine argued at the UN with the Permanent representative of Russia about nationality

Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Mariana Betsa argued with the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Vasily Nebenzya about his nationality during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UN).

The dispute arose during a meeting of the UN Security Council devoted to the situation on Ukraine. The Russian diplomat stressed that formally he is a Ukrainian, and his ancestors are from the Zaporozhye Cossacks.

"If formally, I am Ukrainian. And I have such a strange surname. Slavs know: it is difficult to find it even on the Ukraine. She is from the Zaporozhye Cossacks. My father is a "shy" Ukrainian, and my mother is also from the Cossacks. "More narrow-eyed" than you, Mrs. Betsa, and you, Mr. Miller," Nebenzia said.

He stressed that he sees no difference between Russians and Ukrainians, whom he considers to be one people. The Russian Permanent Representative recalled his father, who, being a Ukrainian, volunteered for the front in 1941 to defend Leningrad.

"We have a common nationality, but different faiths. From Kievan Rus, which you sold for thirty pieces of silver," the diplomat concluded.

In response, Mariana Betsa stated that Vasily Nebenzia, in her opinion, "is not a Ukrainian." She also disagreed with the fact that Russians and Ukrainians are one people. According to her, Russians and Ukrainians are separate nations with different identities and historical experience.

As reported by EADaily, earlier Vasily Nebenzia said that Ukraine's European allies are actually preventing a return to a constructive negotiation process and blocking any attempts at a peaceful settlement.