MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticized the United States for denying US visas to Russian journalists meant to accompany him on a visit to UN headquarters in New York.
Lavrov, who is set to chair several UN Security Council meetings, said Moscow “will not forgive” Washington for the decision.
Lavrov called the US failure to grant visas to Russian journalists a “stupid” move and accused the country of “chickening out.” He added that the incident showed the worth of the US’ “solemn assurances on freedom of speech.”
The move comes after Russia took up the presidency of the UN Security Council in April, despite the ongoing Ukraine offensive, which Kyiv called “a slap in the face.”
Since the start of the offensive, Moscow has tightened the conditions to obtain the accreditations needed to obtain journalist visas in Russia.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned of more retaliatory steps, saying, “we will find formats to respond to this so that the Americans remember for a long time that such things must not be done.”
RIA Novosti, a state-run news agency, cited a diplomatic source who said that “American journalists will experience all the discomfort and inconvenience” following the incident.
US journalist Evan Gershkovich’s arrest in Russia
Last month, US journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on claims of espionage. Gershkovich, who has also worked for AFP, strongly denied the allegations, and his publication and officials have also denied the charges.
The diplomatic source cited by RIA Novosti said that the incident over visas proved Washington’s “imaginary concern” for Gershkovich. “Otherwise, they would not treat Russian journalists like this,” the source said.
The tensions between Russia and the US continue to escalate, with both sides accusing the other of various wrongdoings. The denial of visas to Russian journalists is the latest move in this ongoing conflict.
