Russia Is Accusing the US of 'Direct Interference' In Its Elections (businessinsider.com)

schwit1 shares a report from Business Insider (alternative source): Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Tuesday accused the U.S. of a "direct interference in our electoral process and internal affairs" following the State Department's criticism of Russia's decision to bar opposition leader Alexey Navalny from running in the upcoming presidential election against Vladimir Putin. "This State Department statement, which I'm sure will be repeated, is a direct interference in our electoral process and internal affairs," Zakharova wrote Tuesday on Facebook. In a statement shared with Business Insider on Tuesday night, a State Department spokesperson expressed concern over the Russian government's "ongoing crackdown against independent voices, from journalists to civil society activists and opposition politicians." "These actions indicate the Russian government has failed to protect space in Russia for the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms," the statement said. "More broadly, we urge the government of Russia to hold genuine elections that are transparent, fair, and free and that guarantee the free expression of the will of the people, consistent with its international human rights obligations." Zakharova pushed back. "And these people expressed outrage over alleged Russian 'interference' in their electoral process for an entire year?!" she said.

"Pointing out that the Kremlin is interfering in its own election is not interference," adds schwit1.

Comments

Re:Ya Right

[HornWumpus]

Russians know all that. They're not generally that stupid. Billions didn't magic their way into Putin's accounts.

They don't care, at some level they appear to crave a Czar...Isn't he living in England?...Finland? (the actual Czar, by traditional succession) He should run.

The only thing I know for sure: Everytime a foreigner attacks Putin, we make him stronger in Russia. Our meddling will be even less effective than Russia's was.

The only thing that can save Russia is high oil prices.

Saudi better be guarding Abqaiq. It sure would be a shame if something happened to it and Russia's problems get solved. What if the Saudis outsource security to Russians? Then again, how hard would it be to disguise a precision missile as some junk the Yeminis would be shooting?

I don't get how it's still standing. Even surrounded by exclusion zones, defenses and covered by news blackout. Likely better defended than the White House. Has to be the world's most valuable and profitable target.