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Russia will accept any outcome of UK referendum — ambassador

Russia’s Ambassador to the UK says Moscow is not meddling in the UK’s internal affairs

ST.PETERSBURG, June 16. /TASS/. Russia is not interfering in the United Kingdom’s domestic affairs and will accept any outcome of the upcoming vote on the country’s future in the European Union, Russia’s Ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko told TASS on Thursday.

"Russia is not meddling in the UK’s internal affairs. We will accept any outcome of the referendum, this will be a decision of the British people," Yakovenko said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is marking its 20th anniversary this year.

"Moreover, we have always called against involving Russia in domestic political discussions when it was announced at the political level that Brexit is advantageous for Russia. Unfortunately, they attempt to use our authority simply for their political goals. Russia is not taking part in these schemes," he said.

The UK is due to hold a referendum on whether to stay in the EU on June 23. It will be the third nationwide plebiscite in the country’s history. In 1975, the British voters backed the UK’s membership in the European Economic Community (EEC). In 2011, a vote was held on changing the country’s voting system.