“Russia is interested in maintaining the territorial integrity of Spain,” says Yuri Klimenko
MADRID, 10 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Russian ambassador in Madrid, Yuri Klimenko, has flatly denied that Russia has interfered at any time in Catalonia, ensuring that his country is interested in maintaining the “territorial integrity” of Spain, while at the same time describing the actions as “unfounded.” accusations of alleged contacts of Russian citizens with independence leaders.
In a statement to Europa Press, Klimenko defended that Russia considers the issue of Catalonia “a purely internal issue for Spain, which must be resolved within the framework of its Constitution.”
“Russia has never interfered in the situation in Catalonia and has always been interested in its complete normalization and in maintaining the territorial integrity of Spain,” the ambassador stressed.
Asked about the judicial investigation into the presence of alleged Russian spies in Catalonia before October 1 and the alleged personal relationships of Catalan politicians with Russian citizens confirmed by a Barcelona judge, Klimenko maintained that Moscow does not have “such information regarding “alleged ‘contacts’ and ‘personal relationships’ of senior officials of the Government of Catalonia with Russian citizens and authorities.”
“We consider absolutely unacceptable the unfounded statements and accusations against our country of interference, which come from different Spanish media outlets,” he claimed, in written responses to questions from Europa Press, arguing that they are “insinuations and a campaign.” of well-orchestrated and planned disinformation” against his country.
With regard to the resolution approved in February by the plenary session of the European Parliament in which he expressed his “total indignation and deep concern” about Russia’s continued efforts to undermine democracy in the EU, the Russian diplomat considered that it constitutes “a new example of the unprecedented level of hypocrisy and double standards that dominates this institution.”
Klimenko lamented that “the European Parliament has long become a platform for heating up rampant anti-Russian propaganda and Russophobia.”
“It is curious that MEPs continue to produce an endless chain of unreliable documents and resolutions full of hoaxes, while declaring the fight against disinformation as one of their main tasks,” he said.
