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Moscow calls Saakashvili’s accusations against Russian presidential aide fantasy

"Accusations against Surkov of inciting separatism have nothing to do with reality," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said
Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov ITAR-TASS/Valery Sharifulin
Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov
© ITAR-TASS/Valery Sharifulin

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. Accusations of inciting separatism in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa, voiced by Odessa Region Governor Mikheil Saakashvili against Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, have nothing to do with reality, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

"We have noticed such accusations," Zakharova said. "In general, we are trying to seldom pay attention to what Saakashvili says, as it is dangerous to health."

"Accusations against Surkov of inciting separatism have nothing to do with reality," the diplomat said. "These accusations are unsubstantiated and are based on myths and fantasies."

She said this "is not the first time when we hear from Ukrainian officials such accusations."

"I would like our Ukrainian colleagues to treat such topics more professionally," Zakharova said.

The diplomat did not give any additional characteristics to Saakashvili, as she said she believes "these loud and flamboyant statements were meant... to distract attention from the main problem - the difficult social and economic situation int the country and a number of other important isues."

"Such statements are made out of internal fear he has had since 2008," she added. "We objectively consider such accusations fictitious.".