The Diplomat
The Russian ambassador to Spain, Yuri Klimenko, flatly denies that Russia has ever interfered in Catalonia, ensuring that his country is interested in maintaining the “territorial integrity” of Spain, while calling the accusations “unfounded.” of alleged contacts of Russian citizens with independence leaders.
In statements to Europa Press, Klimenko defends that Russia considers the question of Catalonia “a purely internal question of Spain, which must be resolved within the framework of its Constitution.”
“Russia has never interfered in the situation in Catalonia and has always been interested in its complete normalization and in maintaining the territorial integrity of Spain,” emphasizes the ambassador.
Asked about the judicial investigation into the presence of alleged Russian spies in Catalonia before October 1 and the alleged personal relationships of Catalan politicians with Russian citizens confirmed by a Barcelona judge, Klimenko maintains that Moscow does not have “such information regarding alleged ‘contacts’ and ‘personal relationships’ of senior officials of the Government of Catalonia with Russian citizens and authorities.”
“We consider absolutely unacceptable the unfounded statements and accusations against our country of interference, which come from different Spanish media outlets,” he claims, in written responses to questions from Europa Press, arguing that they are “insinuations and a campaign of well-orchestrated and planned disinformation” against his country.
Regarding the resolution approved in February by the plenary session of the European Parliament in which he expressed his “total indignation and deep concern” about Russia’s continued efforts to undermine democracy in the EU, the Russian diplomat considers that it constitutes ” a new example of the unprecedented level of hypocrisy and double standards that dominates this institution.”
Klimenko regrets that “the European Parliament has long become a platform for heating up rampant anti-Russian propaganda and Russophobia.”
“It is curious that MEPs continue to produce an endless chain of unreliable and hoax-filled documents and resolutions, while declaring the fight against disinformation as one of their main tasks,” he says.
