On Russia Day, June 12, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken wished the Russians no reprisals and recalled the war waged by the Kremlin against Ukraine.
The US Department of State has published an appeal by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to the Russians on the occasion of the Russian holiday, which is celebrated at the state level in the Russian Federation on June 12.
On behalf of the United States the head of American diplomacy wished the Russians “a more peaceful, open future.”
Blinken noted that Russian citizens, like people around the world, “deserve to live without repression and be able to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms without fear of repercussions.”
This includes the ability to express their opinion and peacefully participate in civic and political activities in their country. Unfortunately, this is not the case in modern Russia, where the Kremlin has stepped up its repression against civil society and independent media,” the head of the State Security Service emphasized.
According to him, too many Russian citizens are behind bars for the “crime” of telling the authorities the truth about their government's actions.
“These internal repressions are taking place when the Kremlin wages an unprovoked and unjustified war against a sovereign neighboring state.The Russian government is trying to keep its citizens in the dark about the atrocities it is committing against the people of Ukraine,” Blinken stressed.
The US Secretary of State noted that the current international isolation of Russia, “depriving Russian citizens opportunity to build a better future in harmony with their neighbors” was inevitable and prompted by the decisions of Russia's leaders.
At the same time, he noted that the United States recognizes “the desire of the Russian people, who are still striving – as in June 1990 – freedom and dignity, often at great personal risk.”
Recall that on Sunday, June 12, the Russian Federation celebrated a public holiday – Russia Day. Russian President Vladimir Putin received a meager amount of congratulations.
