Russian news agency Interfax reported on Tuesday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, and Canada to protest against what it described as their "interference in Russia's internal affairs."
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, had previously accused the ambassadors of pressuring the judiciary in a statement issued on Monday, before their summoning. She indicated that diplomats who interfere in Russian affairs could face expulsion.
She stated, "Any actions by the United States, Britain, and Canada aimed at inciting discord and hostility in our society will be dealt with firmly, and the diplomats involved in this subversive work will be expelled from Russia." She added, "Attempts to pressure the Russian government and its independent judiciary will end in failure... The traitors praised by the West will get what they deserve."
Russia accused the ambassadors of Britain, the United States, and Canada of interfering in its internal affairs after they condemned the treason conviction of a prominent opposition politician and warned them of potential expulsion in the future.
On Monday, the three countries condemned Russia for sentencing opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison and also called for the release of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, whom Moscow has accused of espionage.
