Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov strongly condemned the United States (US) after the alleged denial of visa to Russian journalists planning to cover his trip to New York.
Moscow claims that the US denied entry to journalists from Russia organizing to report the appearance of Lavrov at the United Nations General Assembly.
Russian FM Sergey Lavrov Blasts US for Visa Denial for Journalists
As per a recent report by The New York Post, Lavrov is set to make an appearance at the UN General Assembly as Russia takes the chairmanship of the Security Council. And as such, the Russian Foreign Minister visited the US.
With the upcoming attendance of Lavrov at the UN assembly, reporters from Russia wanted to cover the momentous event. These journalists were actually planning to join the foreign minister on his trip to the US.
But things did not go as planned. Moscow claims that Washington blocked the entry of these journalists after allegedly denying them visas.
With that, Lavrov slams the US with a stern warning. He says, "Be sure that we will not forget and will not forgive."
Furthermore, the Russian Foreign Minister stated that a "country that calls itself the strongest, smartest, free and fair country has chickened out and done something stupid." Lavrov made such remarks before leaving Moscow to travel to the US, ABC News reports.
Lavrov also states that the US has shown "what its sworn assurances about protecting freedom of speech and access to information are really worth."
Russia Deputy FM Warns Possible Retaliation to US
On top of their comments of Lavrov, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Ryabkov, suggests that Moscow might retaliate against the alleged denial of visas to Russian journalists. Ryabkov disclosed that "we will find ways to respond to this."
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister explains that they plan to respond to the alleged visa denial "so that the Americans will remember for a long time not to do this."
It is worth noting that the US State Department has yet to respond to the allegation of the Foreign Minister of Russia.
According to a report by the Associated Press last year, Russia previously warned the US that visas for American media in Moscow might be denied or withdrawn. It is due to the limitations that Washington has allegedly applied to Russian journalists in the US.
It comes as cable and satellite operators in the US have already dropped the state-funded news channel of Russia, RT. At the same time, the giant video-sharing service, YouTube, has also blocked a couple of Russian channels.
With that in mind, the ministry spokesperson of Russia, Maria Zakharova, warned that US journalists might be denied entry into the Russian nation. And last month, Moscow arrester The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich over alleged espionage.
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