Russia has asked Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters to speak to the UN Security Council on Wednesday at a meeting that Moscow requested to discuss the delivery of weapons to Ukraine.
"Russian diplomacy used to be serious. What next? Mr. Bean?" said a UN Security Council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Waters was criticized by supporters of Ukraine when he published an open letter on his website in September to Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska. He argued against the Western supply of weapons to Kyiv.
"Let's see what he will say. He has a position and you will hear it tomorrow," said Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, jokingly adding: "Perhaps he will sing to us, too."
The 15-member Security Council has met dozens of times since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine last February 24. But it is unable to take any action because Russia is a veto power, along with the United States, China, Britain, and France.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to arrive for a state visit in the UK also on Wednesday, and meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
During his visit, Zelensky will speak in front of the British parliament and visit Ukrainian forces undergoing training in the UK.