The United States has sent an invitation to the Russian Federation to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new American president.
Sputnik news agency reported that a representative of the Russian diplomatic mission in Washington confirmed the receipt of the invitation to attend the inauguration of the elected President Joe Biden, scheduled for January 20. The representative stated that participation is planned at the ambassadorial level.
It appears that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the format and mechanism of the inauguration ceremony, as it was initially reported that only members of Congress and their guests (one guest per member) will be allowed at the ceremony, totaling just under 1,100 people.
It is noteworthy that foreign ambassadors usually attend the presidential inauguration, but this year it is being held in a very limited manner, and it is unclear whether there will be room for diplomats.
Democrat Joe Biden secured 306 electoral votes in the U.S. presidential election held on November 3, compared to 232 for the current president, Donald Trump, who does not acknowledge his defeat. On January 6, he called on his supporters to go to the Capitol building to "help weak Republicans" challenge the presidential election, which led to riots and vandalism at the U.S. Congress. These acts of vandalism resulted in the deaths of three protesters due to medical emergencies and one woman from a gunshot during clashes with security personnel, as well as a Capitol police officer, and 52 individuals who stormed the building were arrested.
