US hits out at Russia’s harsh tactics against protesters backing Navalny
The US has strongly condemned Russia’s use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists demanding the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The state department called on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and unconditional release of Navalny.
“We urge Russia to fully cooperate with the international community’s investigation into the poisoning of Navalny and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil,” spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.
“The Russian government sought to suppress the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression by harassing protest organisers, threatening social media platforms, and pre-emptively arresting potential participants,” Price said.
Kremlin: Putin ready for dialogue if US willing
Russia is ready to set up a dialogue with the Biden administration in which differences are expected to be aired, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday, adding that President Vladimir Putin would respond in kind to US willingness to talk.
“Of course, we count on success in setting up a dialogue,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on TV by Interfax news agency.
“This will be the dialogue where, of course, differences will have to be stated to a greater extent, points of differences. But at the same time, a dialogue is a possibility to find some rational kernels, the little parts where our relations are getting closer,” he said.