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Kremlin dismisses claims of Russia's role in Montenegro protests as groundless

Montenegro’s capital Podgorica has been a scene of protest demonstrations since late September against the authorities’ policies, including the idea of joining NATO

Montenegrin riot police officers seen during clashes with anti-government protesters in Podgorica EPA/BORIS PEJOVIC

Montenegrin riot police officers seen during clashes with anti-government protesters in Podgorica

© EPA/BORIS PEJOVIC

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Moscow: Disregard for public opinion is root cause behind Montenegrin protests

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. The Kremlin has dismissed as groundless Montenegro’s allegations Russia may be involved in opposition protests.

"No new comment is needed here. As before, these charges are groundless," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Wednesday.

Federation Council speaker: "How can one comment on such nonsense?"

Russian Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko has dismissed as nonsense charges by the authorities of Montenegro.

"How can one comment on such nonsense? Honestly, I don’t feel like saying anything serious," said Matviyenko following the latest statements by Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Dukanovic. Matviyenko asked the Montenegrin politician to remember that "Russia, in contrast to some other states, has never engineered ‘orange’ revolutions or overthrown any legitimate governments.’"

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Kremlin: Montenegro attempts to demonize Moscow accusing Russia of involvement in protests

"That’s sheer nonsense. I don’t feel like responding to it," Matviyenko said.

Montenegro’s capital Podgorica has been a scene of protest demonstrations since late September against the authorities’ policies, including the idea of joining NATO. On October 17 police cracked down on the demonstrators’ tent camp. The clashes that followed left 24 demonstrators and 15 police injured. Prime Minister Milo Dukanovic said Russia, which is against Montenegro’s accession to NATO may be behind the protests.The Russian Foreign Minister said that Dukanovic was keen to shirk responsibility for the soaring tensions in Montenegro and his charges against Moscow were groundless. Earlier, the Kremlin likened the Montenegrin authorities’ claims to a "search for the devil and attempts to demonize Russia."

"Searching for the devil everywhere and continued attempts to demonize Russia is a well-known favourite pursuit of many countries," Peskov said on Monday.

The Montenegrin government has again accused Moscow of involvement in the unrest.

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Military operation in Ukraine

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