WASHINGTON, March 11. /TASS/. Russia views Russophobic rhetoric on the part of the United States as provocative activity in pursuit of an illusory goal of destabilizing the situation in the country, the Russian Embassy quoted Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov as saying on its Telegram channel.

"The level of Russophobic rhetoric of the [US President Joe] Biden administration is staggering. From the high US tribunes we hear allegations about `aggressive ambitions’ of Russia in Europe. The Pentagon easily calls our country an `enemy’ of the United States. State Department officials and lawmakers defiantly welcome fugitive representatives of the Russian `fifth column’, fervently convincing the latter of Washington’s continued support for the `struggle for the freedom of the Russians’," the Russian diplomat said, commenting on anti-Russian statements by US officials and lawmakers ahead of Russia's presidential election. "Mass media are not far behind, calling for protests outside the Embassy and Consulates General and ballots spoiling on the election day. We consider all this as a coordinated set of provocative steps aimed at the elusive goal of destabilizing the situation in our country," he continued.

Antonov demanded that "local authorities refrain from actions that could lead to a slide of bilateral relations into the abyss". "At the same time, it is important to note: even the most hard-core Russophobes realize and admit that our people firmly support Russia’s domestic and foreign policy course set by President Vladimir Putin. They share the goals of the special military operation," he emphasized.

The work of the Embassy

The Russian Embassy in Washington is maintaining close communication with the US Department of State amid ongoing provocations ahead of the presidential election in Russia, Antonov said.

"In conditions of constant provocations, the Embassy works cool headed. We are working on organizing the upcoming elections in a businesslike way. We even prepared drawing tables for the children who will come to us with their parents. We are in close contact with the Secret Service of the State Department," the ambassador emphasized.

"We hope that the US side will fulfill its obligations to ensure the security of the diplomatic mission," Antonov concluded.

The US Department of State has not yet replied to a TASS reporter’s question about measures to be taken for this purpose.

Earlier, Antonov said that Russian nationals will be able to cast their votes in the coming Russian presidential election on March 17 at three polling stations in the United States, namely in Washington, where the embassy is located, as well as at the Consulates General of the Russian Federation in New York and Houston.

The Federation Council, or the upper chamber of Russia’s parliament, formally designated March 17, 2024, as the date of Russia’s presidential election. The Central Election Commission then decided that voting would take place over three days, on March 15-17, 2024, making it the first-ever three-day presidential election in Russian history. Also, apart from Moscow, voters in 28 Russian regions will be able to vote online.