MADRID, December 19. /TASS/. The Spanish authorities have covertly implemented a policy of complete official "isolation" toward the Russian Embassy in Madrid, effectively severing relations between the two countries, Russian Ambassador to the kingdom Yury Klimenko told TASS.
"I have not observed instances of behavior exceeding the norms of diplomatic propriety," the head of the diplomatic mission said. "However, we neither comprehend nor agree with the official decision to impose a covert and total 'isolation' on the embassy, which significantly hinders our operations and obstructs efforts to establish dialogue," he stated.
The vast majority of the Spanish public, on the other hand, maintain a positive view of Russia, the ambassador pointed out. "Despite the challenging political climate, their interest in Russian culture, art, literature, and music remains strong and cannot be 'canceled' by authorities," the ambassador emphasized. "Many Spaniards openly express frustration that they cannot fully engage with Russian culture due to artificial restrictions imposed by the authorities in line with the ineffectual efforts of Western powers to 'cancel' it," Klimenko remarked.
Klimenko informed Russian journalists that bilateral relations between Russia and Spain are currently at a historic low. "Meaningful dialogue with Spanish authorities has been ceased, and practical cooperation in all areas, including humanitarian, has ceased," the diplomat clarified. "Only a few agencies maintain occasional contact, and the Russian Embassy’s communication with the Spanish Foreign Ministry is limited to basic, technical exchanges."
The "sudden breakdown" in relations was not initiated by Moscow, the ambassador stressed, adding that he saw no immediate prospects for improving the current "dire situation." "Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that the strained relations with Madrid will eventually recover, allowing for a resumption of mutually beneficial collaboration on equal terms," the diplomat stated. "To achieve this, the Spanish authorities must firstabandon their adherence to the anti-Russian stance dictated by Washington and Brussels," Klimenko concluded.