MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. The US demand that Russia’s RT TV channel registers as a foreign agent, as well as the withdrawal of its Congress credentials, is a sign of Washington’s weakness, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a meeting of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Committee for Control and Regulations on Monday.

"It is a sign of tremendous weakness, indicating that they are unable to participate in a fair and open competition, they can only use force to get rid of rivals," Zakharova said.

She added that Russia had long abandoned "censorship and pressure on the media." "We have become free for real, while they have picked up all that crap that we threw away, which is a sign of their weakness. Is it wise of them to close media outlets and hinder their activities? Definitely not," the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman said.

At the same time, Zakharova added that Russia "is particularly determined to maintain constructive relations with the United States." "As for our attitude to the US, we are focused on cooperation. There is a need to be guided by long-term interests," she concluded.