'High drama' possible when Zelenskyy speaks at UN with Russian delegation present: Rae

The presence of both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a potential high-level representative from the Russian government at this week's United Nations General Assembly will be a challenging but necessary event, Canada's UN ambassador says.

The presence of both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a potential high-level representative from the Russian government at this week's United Nations General Assembly will be a challenging but necessary event, Canada's UN ambassador says.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak in-person for the first time before the UN General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday more than a year and a half after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Speaking to CTV's Question Period host Vassy Kapelos in an interview airing Sunday, Ambassador Bob Rae said he understands that the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member, is looking to organize a meeting with Zelenskyy.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also may attend the General Assembly.

"I mean, it'll obviously be a moment of high drama," Rae said.

"There's talk that Foreign Minister Lavrov will be going and that's no surprise. He comes regularly to the UN. It'll be challenging, but it's necessary to hear what they have to say and to get a sense of how this public debate will unfold through the winter and into next year."

It comes after meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which some speculate could lead to Pyongyang supplying Moscow with ammunition for its war efforts in Ukraine.