American diplomats and employees of American overseas institutions in Russia will not be permitted to monitor the forthcoming presidential elections in Russia, stated Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, according to Interfax news agency.

"United States Citizens who are members of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) elections monitoring mission will, of course, be able to fulfill all the corresponding functions in the presidential elections of the Russian Federation," Ryabkov said.

"As for American diplomats and employees of US foreign missions in the Russian Federation, they will not be permitted [to participate] in this process, considering that during the United States elections in 2016, employees of Russian foreign missions in the United States were denied such an opportunity," the Deputy Minister added.

According to Ryabkov, "accordingly, shortly after this refusal, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially notified the US Embassy in Moscow that diplomats and employees of US General Consulates in Russia will not be permitted to monitor the forthcoming elections."

"But, I repeat once again, that this does not apply to those US citizens who will come to us within the framework of the OSCE / ODIHR election monitoring mission," Ryabkov stressed.

Earlier in February, the Russian Foreign Ministry said there was evidence of "interference" by the West in the Russian elections.

  elections in Russa, USA

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