UPDATE - Moscow summons US envoy for ‘supporting’ 3 NGOs recognized as 'undesirable' in Russia

UPDATES WITH OTHER DETAILS FROM STATEMENT, ADDS QUOTES

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned US Ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy for supporting three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) recognized as "undesirable" in Russia.

In a statement on its website, the ministry said it demanded Tracy to stop providing any assistance to "The American Councils for International Education", "Cultural Vistas" and the "Institute of International Education."

"The ambassador was handed an official note demanding to stop any assistance to the activities of these NGOs, which, if continued, will be considered a violation of Russian law," the ministry warned.

The diplomatic service noted that it required to remove the list of educational projects and programs carried out by these NGOs from the US Embassy official website and social networks, saying they are "aimed at promoting attitudes and values alien to Russian society."

The ministry claims that with the support of the US embassy, these organizations are implementing “anti-Russian programs and projects” aimed at recruiting "agents of influence under the guise of educational and cultural exchanges.”

The ministry warned that “attempts to interfere in the Russian internal affairs” will be "harshly and decisively suppressed," including the expulsion of employees of the US Embassy involved in such actions.

The diplomatic service clarified that discussing the "spread of disinformation" about the 2024 Russian presidential election and the "special military operation" in Ukraine will be among the topics considered "interference in Russia's internal affairs."

The 2024 Russian presidential election will take place on March 17. Russia started its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.