MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/ — Russia condemns attempts to interfere in other countries’ domestic affairs, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told reporters, commenting on the Baltic states’ plans to sanction those who suppressed protests in Georgia.

"Moscow generally has a negative attitude toward any attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state," he said, responding to a TASS reporter’s question.

"The actions by the [three] Baltic states demonstrate that there is an absolutely unacceptable atmosphere in the West, where any dissent, the protection of traditional values, and the efforts by sovereign states to pursue an independent and pragmatic policy are not tolerated," the senior Russian diplomat said. According to him, such actions by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania highlight how odious Western policies are.

Earlier, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced joint plans by the Baltic states to impose national sanctions on those who suppressed what he called legitimate protests in Georgia.