Russian authorities on Tuesday delivered a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow demanding that Washington cease its attempts to interfere in Russia’s internal affairs, «incompatible with the status of a diplomatic mission.»
«The Russian Foreign Ministry states that despite repeated warnings contained (…) the US diplomatic mission continues its malicious activity in the information space,» the letter reads.
According to the Russian authorities, «inappropriate statements» about Russia’s leadership have been made from the U.S. diplomatic mission, while alleged falsehoods about the Russian Armed Forces have been spread, «which is a criminal offense.»
At this point, a Russian government interlocutor confirmed to the TASS news agency that Moscow has warned Washington that U.S. Embassy employees involved in «attempts to carry out subversive work» will be expelled «regardless of their positions.»
According to the source, the Kremlin is aware that U.S. diplomats are trying to «recruit ‘agents of influence’ with the aim of sowing discord in Russian society, inciting anti-state speeches.»
«In this regard, the new US Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, (…) was given a strict idea of the need to strictly comply with Russian laws and stop activities that go against the requirements of the Russian Federation authorities and the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,» the same source said.
Finally, the Russian diplomatic interlocutor stressed that Moscow «does not intend to put up with the rabid anti-Russian propaganda replicated by the information resources of the U.S. Embassy», and at the same time «intends to use all available means to neutralize it».
Diplomatic relations between the Kremlin and the White House are going through a tense moment, further fueled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than eleven months ago.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
