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US statements on voting in Russia mar prospects for mending ties, says senior diplomat

Sergei Ryabkov admitted that Moscow was accustomed to all kinds of fake news regarding our affairs

MOSCOW, July 4. /TASS/. Washington’s statements regarding the Russian authorities’ alleged attempts to "manipulate" the outcome of the vote on the amendments to Russia's Constitution complicate the prospects for normalizing bilateral relations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS on Saturday.

Commenting on remarks by US Department of State Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, Ryabkov admitted that Moscow was accustomed to all kinds of fake news regarding Russia’s domestic affairs. "All that has no impact whatsoever on strengthening the nationhood and improving the Constitution," Ryabkov stressed. "Nevertheless, we do hope that the US administration understands that such actions will not remain without consequences. They also complicate the prospects for normalizing relations."

Russia’s nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments took place from June 25 to July 1. The official voting day under the presidential decree was July 1, but, due to the coronavirus situation, the voting period was extended for a week. According to the Central Election Commission, 77.92% of voters backed the constitutional amendments, while 21.27% voted against them. The voter turnout was 67.97%.

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