Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told journalists on Thursday, October 3, that Russian diplomats and he personally have received threats of physical violence.
“The feeling is that as we move towards an important date in America – the US presidential elections on November 5 – it is becoming increasingly difficult to work here. This is confirmed by aggressive demonstrations with provocative slogans and insults addressed to the leadership of our country, as well as threats to diplomats and the ambassador personally about physical violence,” TASS quotes Antonov as saying.
The ambassador noted that the situation in the information field is also becoming more severe. In particular, the US is introducing new restrictions against Russian journalists. The diplomat emphasized that there are already “thousands and even tens of thousands” of such restrictions, new ones appear for any reason and are not removed even in cases where accusations against Russian media are completely refuted.
Antonov cited the example of 2016, when Russia was accused of supporting the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and sanctions were imposed. These restrictions remain in place to this day, and events are repeating themselves: Moscow is again being accused without evidence of interfering in Washington’s internal affairs, whether it be influencing the outcome of elections or some hacker attacks.
Earlier, on September 20, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Ryabkov said that the US’s only foreign policy tools were sanctions, threats, and pressure. According to the diplomat, this reflects a completely decomposed system that is facing a quick collapse. Washington’s attempts to threaten are an element of political and psychological pressure on Russia and the world community.
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Maria Zabolotskaya said in September 2023 that the United States consistently puts pressure on the Russian Permanent Mission to the international organization and generally prevents the country from working normally in the UN.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, stated back in May 2022 that Russian diplomats abroad were facing psychological violence and receiving threats. In addition, Antonov had already reported threats against employees of the Russian Embassy in the United States. The diplomat said that anti-Russian protests were held every day at the diplomatic mission, and there were hooligan antics and acts of vandalism.