In March 2017, Nebenzya was named as one of the main candidates for the post alongside the Permanent Representative of Russia to NATO Alexander Grushko, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anatoly Antonov.

[3][4][5] President Vladimir Putin appointed Nebenzya as Permanent Representative to the United Nations on 27 July 2017, and he presented his credentials to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres the following day.

On 23 February 2022 (New York time), President Vladimir Putin announced the invasion via video message while the Security Council was meeting.

[9] On 30 September 2022, Nebenzya attempted to justify the Russian occupation of southeastern Ukraine, claiming that these Ukrainian regions had chosen to be part of Russia.

[10] According to Nebenzya, one of the purposes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is "undermining the military capability of the Ukrainian army which poses a threat to the security and territorial integrity of Russia".

"[11] At a UN Security Council meeting of 14 January 2023, Nebenzya stated that "only when the threat for Russia no longer emanates from the territory of Ukraine and when the discrimination against the Russian-speaking population of this country ends" it could stop its military actions.