Kremlin Accuses U.S. Of 'Direct Interference' In The Upcoming Russian Presidential Election

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria #Zakharova described #US @StateDept’s comments on the rejection of Russian opposition activist Alexei #Navalny's presidential bid as "meddling in the Russian #elections” pic.twitter.com/3M4oE1ZwmS

— ГК РФ 🇷🇺 в Женеве (@RusConsulGen) December 27, 2017

Business Insider: Russia is accusing the US of 'direct interference' in its elections

* A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Tuesday said the US was meddling in Russia's coming presidential election by condemning the decision to bar the opposition candidate Alexei Navalny from running.
* "This State Department statement, which I'm sure will be repeated, is a direct interference in our electoral process and internal affairs," the spokeswoman wrote.
* Russia's Election Commission barred Navalny from running last week, citing a previous embezzlement conviction. The European Court of Human Rights has called that conviction "arbitrary" and "unreasonable."

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Tuesday accused the US of "direct interference in our electoral process and internal affairs" following the State Department's criticism of Russia's decision to bar the opposition leader Alexey Navalny from running in the coming presidential election against Vladimir Putin.

"This State Department statement, which I'm sure will be repeated, is a direct interference in our electoral process and internal affairs," Zakharova wrote Tuesday on Facebook.

Read more ....

Update #1: Russia warns US against 'meddling' in presidential election (DW)
Update #2: Moscow accuses US of 'direct interference' in upcoming election (The Hill)

WNU Editor: The Kremlin is reacting because they are nervous that these protests may escalate .... Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Calls for Protests to Boycott Presidential Election (VOA).