Maria Zakharova
Moscow prepared for a “serious conversation” with Washington about the US government's comments on the Russian protests. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova at a briefing.
She recommended that the United States “go about its own business.” “Even the rhetoric that you allow yourself in relation to our country cannot help you to divert public views, public opinion from your own problems. They will have to be addressed (…) Demanding the observance of elementary human rights, which the American authorities constantly and very hypocritically care about in relation to other countries, but do not hesitate to ignore at home, ”the diplomat added.
On February 4, a group of American senators submitted to the US Congress a bill on sanctions against Russia due to the situation with Alexei Navalny (founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation – FBK, included by the Ministry of Justice in the register of organizations performing the functions of a foreign agent ).
On January 24, the US State Department condemned the use of force by law enforcement officials against citizens and journalists during unauthorized actions held in Russia. Prior to this, before the start of the unauthorized actions, the US Embassy in Russia published a list of cities, the time of the beginning of the rallies and the approximate route of their participants. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that any attempts to cover unauthorized rallies would be regarded as gross interference in the country's internal affairs.
