The Russian Foreign Ministry says U.S. charges against alleged Russian spies are part of an "anti-Russian campaign" and will further undermine relations between Moscow and Washington.
More, from our newsroom, on Moscow's latest accusations of "anti-Russianism."
Moscow has lashed out at the United States over charges against three alleged Russian spies in New York, saying the allegations are part of an "anti-Russian campaign" and will further undermine relations between the two nations.
The Foreign Ministry issued an angrily worded statement on January 27, a day after U.S. federal prosecutors announced charges against three men they said were part of a Russian spy ring.
"One gets the impression that the American authorities have again decided to resort to their favorite practice of pumping up spy passions," the ministry quoted spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich as saying.
He said that "the consequences of such actions, which will worsen the bilateral atmosphere and undermine the prospects for interaction, will remain on the conscience of their initiators."
Lukashevich said U.S. authorities had provided no evidence supporting the charges and demanded consular access to Evgeny Buryakov, who was arrested in New York on January 26.
The two other men charged no longer live in the United States and were not arrested.
Via Reuters, Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem speaking today after arriving for a meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels:
"I think we need to support Ukraine in any case, but of course the situation and the escalation makes it even more urgent. So today we will talk about what is needed and how to finance this support forUkraine."
From our newsroom, more on today's statement condemning Russian actions:
Ukraine's parliament has adopted a statement branding Russia an "aggressor state," a move that deputies hope will pave the way for punishment under international law.
The Verkhovna Rada also voted on January 27 to define separatist self-styled "people's republics" in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as "terrorist organizations," and to appeal to the international community for additional nonlethal military aid and stronger sanctions against Russia.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Radical Party leader Oleh Lyashko, a member of the governing coalition, said, "Legal recognition as an aggressor state entails consequences" under the UN Charter and UN resolutions.
In reaction, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin called the Ukrainian statement "thoughtless and irresponsible," and said it was aimed at blocking the efforts to end the conflict between pro-Russian rebels and government forces that has killed more than 5,000 people in eastern Ukraine since April.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
More on today's parliamentary vote from our newsroom:
Ukraine Parliament Calls Russia 'Aggressor State,' Seeks More Aid, Sanctions
