Russia alleges that Western ambassadors are interfering in its internal affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia has leveled accusations against Western ambassadors in Moscow, alleging interference in internal affairs and raising questions about their role.

 

Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that EU envoys refused his invitation to meet. (Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP)

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has alleged that Western ambassadors in Moscow are interfering in the country's internal affairs and has raised concerns about their roles. The statement, made on Tuesday, follows complaints from Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov the previous day, asserting that European Union ambassadors had declined to meet with him. This rebuke comes at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine has strained relations with the West to their lowest point in decades. Lavrov stated on March 4 that he had invited EU envoys for discussions ahead of Russia's March 15-17 presidential election, but they had declined. There has been no immediate reaction from Western diplomats.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova brought up the matter again on Tuesday during an appearance on Russian state television. She questioned the actions of Western ambassadors on Russian soil, emphasizing their apparent failure to fulfill their essential functions.

Anchor Vladimir Solovyov pointed out that EU ambassadors attended the March 1 funeral of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, whom he labeled as their agent. Navalny, whose death at an Arctic prison colony was announced on February 16, consistently denied being a Western agent.

Zakharova asserted that the actions of Western ambassadors in Moscow, particularly their attendance at events like Navalny's funeral, indicate interference in Russia's affairs and a focus on "performances" rather than diplomatic duties. The banner headline prominently displayed on Solovyov's television show posed the question: "Should the EU ambassadors be sent out?"