Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov protested against Washington’s statements on the recent unauthorized rallies in Russia in a conversation with U.S. Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Channel One’s Vremya Pokazhet (or Time Will Tell) show on Monday.
"Russia strongly protested against the U.S. embassy’s social media posts in support of unlawful activities in a number of Russian cities," TASS cited her as saying.
"The U.S. ambassador was told that Russia viewed these publications and the US State Department’s statements as direct interference in our country’s domestic affairs. The need was also emphasized for diplomats to strictly abide by Russian laws and generally recognized diplomatic rules," the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.
Moscow will address the activities of U.S. Internet giants in relation to the spreading of fake news about unauthorized rallies in Russia, Maria Zakharova said. "We have taken note of the large-scale activities of Internet giants from the U.S. Social media networks and video hosting platforms have been spreading fake news. We are already dealing with these issues and will remain focused on them as far as our interaction with the Americans and activities within international organizations are concerned," Zakharova pointed out.
On Friday, the U.S. embassy in Moscow posted information about the time and places where unauthorized rallies were expected to be held in various Russian cities the next day. The Russian Foreign Ministry, in turn, said, that the move was beyond the embassy’s concern for U.S. nationals residing in Russia.
