Diplomats from the world’s most powerful nations set aside any differences they may have had, donned their national strip and posed for a remarkable photo to celebrate the start of the World Cup.
Members of the United Nations Security Council even had a kickabout in the famous chamber where verbal blows over international crises – notably the Salisbury spy poisoning – have been exchanged in recent months.
Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia punted the ball toward the back of the horseshoe table, as if taking a free kick, before a bit of back-and-forth with the Netherlands’ permanent representative Karel van Oosterom as they waited for others to arrive.
The UK’s permanent representative to the UN, Karen Pierce, appeared to prefer to wait at the sidelines before the arrival of Antonio Guterres.
After the group were joined by US ambassador Nikki Haley, the council members fanned out and took their positions in front of the Per Krohg mural.
Holding the football, the host nation’s representative stood next to Mr Guterres, who posed for the group shot with his yellow card aloft.
Official #UNSC football team, @antonioguterres and @UN_PGA M.#Lajčák wish good luck to all participants of #WorldCupRussia2018! #Russia2018 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/6gIq58Ozmf
— Russian Mission UN (@RussiaUN) June 14, 2018
The moment of joviality came as the council met to discuss the ongoing conflict in Yemen amid fears of a humanitarian disaster.
In March an international diplomatic crisis sparked by the nerve agent poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, led to fierce exchanges on the council over Russia’s role in the incident.
Barbs were also exchanged over Russia’s support for the regime of Syrian president Bashar Assad after its suspected use of chemical weapons on civilians.
