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Interference in Russian presidential election to fail, backfire on West — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed to the fact that Lithuania continues campaign to smear "the upcoming Russian presidential election"

SIRIUS/Federal Territory/, Match 6. /TASS/. All attempts to interfere in Russia’s affairs during the presidential election process are doomed to failure and will backfire on the West, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"I can assure you that all attempts to interfere in the domestic affairs of the Russian Federation, in particular, in the process of our [presidential] election are, first of all, doomed to failure, and, secondly, will backfire on them [the Western countries]," she said at a briefing on the sidelines of the World Youth Festival.

The diplomat pointed to the fact that Lithuania continues campaign to smear "the upcoming Russian presidential election": Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called on the Western countries not to recognize the election results. "Does he realize that at some point in history someone could do the same thing with his country, calling on citizens not to recognize the election results or not to participate in the elections?" Zakharova pointed out.

According to her, the Finnish media "focus on demonizing Russia and discrediting its leadership." "They are simply reaching the point of absurdity. Some so-called experts in Finland are seriously ready to speculate about the possibility of using Moscow in the election of the head of state to ‘exert hybrid influence on Finland.’ After all, it is a Russian presidential election. Why is Finland so worried? Or does it know something?" the spokeswoman added.

The Federation Council, or upper house of Russia’s parliament, designated March 17, 2024 as the date of the presidential election. The Russian Central Election Commission then announced that voting will take place over three days, from March 15 through 17, making it Russia’s first three-day presidential election.