MOSCOW, January 12. /TASS/. The US Embassy in Moscow has explained the purpose of cultural and educational exchange programs in Russia following remarks made by Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin about the subversive nature of such initiatives.

To be specific, Naryshkin previously asserted that the US intends to enlist graduates of American exchange programs to create the core of a fifth column in Russia before the presidential election. According to him, such plans include US intelligence officers using their diplomatic status to hold relevant training sessions in neighboring countries, with the main emphasis being on training participants in methods of inciting ethnic hatred and interfering in elections. The first such workshop is scheduled for February 16-18, 2024 in Riga. The US Embassy noted that it completely rejects the Russian government’s accusations "about the goal of US cultural and educational exchange programs."

"We believe that getting to know one another face to face humanizes international relations," the diplomatic mission said in a statement on its Telegram channel. That said, the US Embassy did not refute the fact that such programs exist.

According to the US diplomats, the opportunity to study, conduct research and exchange ideas "contributes to finding solutions to shared international concerns." "It makes our world safer," the statement said.

Earlier, the SVR chief said that the US intends to step up these activities in order to stir up unrest and disrupt the domestic political situation in Russia ahead of the presidential election.