MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The Russian diplomatic department is very concerned about the integrity of voting abroad in the Russian presidential election, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Gennady Askaldovich said at a meeting at the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) devoted to preparations for the 2024 presidential election.

"Our main concern is the security situation around polling stations [abroad]," the diplomat said.

He emphasized that due to the destructive policies of unfriendly countries, logistical links with Russian diplomatic missions are becoming more complicated. The closure of consulates general, some thirty of them, and the reduction of the staff of diplomatic missions in unfriendly countries have made it difficult to set up polling stations and election commissions.

"Nevertheless, polling stations will be formed in all countries, including unfriendly ones. Wherever we have a diplomatic presence, at least one polling station will be set up," he continued. "In terms of ensuring security [of polling stations abroad], we rely on our own forces, and we have also asked host countries to help in this regard. We had virtually no problems in friendly countries. Unfriendly countries remained silent for a long time, but eventually responded by saying that they are ready to provide appropriate security conditions within the relevant international norms."

Askaldovich emphasized that Russia's appeals to its partners were notifications, not requests for permission. "We have the right to hold various events without asking the local authorities on the territory of Russian diplomatic missions. Security issues are another issue entirely," he noted. "Almost all of our counterparties have stated that they do not recognize the legitimacy of the election in new Russian regions."

The diplomat said it was telling that many states did not mention this immediately, but made such "postscripts." "This shows that, as one would expect, unfriendly countries are coordinating work on such sensitive issues and opposing us unitedly," he added.

Askaldovich also noted that the refusal of the authorities of a number of host nations to provide security outside diplomatic missions forced diplomats not to hold exit polls outside the cities where Russian diplomatic missions are located in the countries concerned.

About the election

The Russian Central Election Commission decided that the voting will last three days: March 15, 16 and 17. It will be the first three-day presidential election in Russia.