Russia delivers demarche to UK ambassador over embassy posts on presidential election

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia on Tuesday said it sent a demarche to the British ambassador over the UK embassy's posts during the March 15-17 presidential election.

The British mission's account on X had criticized that election was also being held in four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia in 2022, as well as Crimea. Incumbent President Vladimir Putin won by a landslide, getting over 87% of the vote.

A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said it drew attention to the “unacceptable propaganda publications” of the UK mission, which were aimed at “disrupting the election process in new Russian territories.”

“We pointed out the absolute inadmissibility of such activities, which we consider as interference in the internal affairs of Russia and a hostile attempt to put pressure on the independent electoral system in our country and influence the election results,” it said.

These actions, the ministry said, show the UK’s violation of the “fundamental principles of diplomatic communication” enshrined in the Vienna Convention, while also running counter to the status of the British diplomatic mission.

The statement said the election demonstrated the “unprecedented unity” of the Russian people in support of Putin and his policies, adding that the UK envoy was recommended to “pay attention to the situation in Great Britain, where a power crisis is clearly brewing.”