“This is called“ information manipulation ”: the Russian Foreign Ministry refuted the words of the US Senator about the denial of a visa

The Russian Foreign Ministry clarified the situation around US Senator Ron Johnson, according to whom, he was allegedly refused a visa. According to the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Department, the Republican not only did not apply for a visa, but was also aware that he (like several other American politicians) was denied entry to Russia.

“This is called“ information manipulation. ” He is in the stop list in response to the inclusion of Russian representatives, which he had known about for a long time, ”RIA Novosti quoted the agency as saying.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Johnson did not even apply for a visa, but he exposes this situation as if he was refused after an official request.

“I didn’t apply for a visa. But he presented everything as if he had been refused after the appeal, ”the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.

Johnson previously posted a statement on his website stating that Moscow refused his visa. According to a Wisconsin representative, he intended to come to Russia as part of a bipartisan delegation to Congress and hold a series of talks with representatives of the Russian authorities, American business and civil society.

“Working with Ambassador Huntsman, I hoped that a direct dialogue with Russian parliamentarians could help lay the foundation for improving future relations between our countries. Unfortunately, the Russian authorities continue to play diplomatic games with these sincere attempts and denied me entry to Russia. Despite this petty insult, I will continue to advocate for a tough and decisive response to Russian aggression - and an open dialogue where possible, ”Johnson said in a statement.

However, shortly after the publication of this message, the Russian Embassy in Washington reported that Johnson did not even inform about his intention to visit Russia.

“The senator did not contact our embassy and did not inform about his plans to visit Russia,” the diplomatic mission said on Twitter.

We have long been calling on the # UnitedStates🇺🇸 to remove lawmakers from any travel restrictions as a first step towards abolition of "blacklists". #BTW the senator did not apply for a visa at our Embassy and did not inform about his plans to visit @ Russia🇷🇺 https://t.co/SQLA4uvKPhpic.twitter.com/RQXBHozJg0

The Russian embassy noted that Johnson is known for his anti-Russian rhetoric, and therefore his words about the desire to establish a dialogue with representatives of the Russian authorities are in doubt.

“In the Russophobic manner familiar to this politician, he distorts the foreign policy of Russia and admits gross attacks. It is unlikely that on such a basis one can seriously take his statements about alleged intentions to restore direct dialogue, ”the diplomats emphasized.

The embassy is convinced - given the nature of the accusations against Russia, Johnson "is not ready for dialogue, but for confrontation." At the same time, diplomats recalled that Moscow has repeatedly advocated the removal of restrictions on mutual visits of parliamentarians.

“We have long been calling on the United States to remove parliamentarians from any travel restrictions, as the first step in canceling blacklists,” the report said.

This was also recalled by the head of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev, according to whom Johnson did not contact the Federation Council on the eve of his allegedly planned trip. In an interview with TASS, the senator recalled that many Russian parliamentarians, including Kosachev himself, were included in the US sanctions list.

“On the Russian side, we have repeatedly proposed starting liberalization of mutual sanctions lists with the withdrawal of parliamentarians from them, and Mr. Johnson is well aware of this. However, our proposals, unfortunately, did not meet with any practical reaction from the US senators and congressmen, ”said the senator.

• US Senator Ron Johnson
• AFP
• © WIN MCNAMEE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA

In turn, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs Alexei Chepa expressed the opinion that such a statement by Johnson can be explained either by mistake or by a deliberate attempt to create an anti-Russian information occasion.

“We can only assume that this is either incorrect information and a commonplace mistake, or it is an attempt to“ suck out another Russophobic topic from the finger, “he told RT. “Raising such a simple topic that they don't let him in on such a wave, for the senator it seems too primitive.”

Note that in May 2019, a similar incident occurred. Then the former Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was unable to enter Russia due to the fact that she is on the corresponding list. However, she, unlike Johnson, did apply for a visa.

“Nuland was denied a Russian visa because it is on the black lists entered in response to similar US measures,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said then.

Work on countering Russia

Senator Johnson chairs the National Security and Government Affairs Committee. He also chairs the European and Regional Security Cooperation Committee and is a member of several other committees related to US foreign policy.

A significant part of his activity is anti-Russian. So, he called for counteracting Russia after the incident in the Kerch Strait in November 2018, and also seeks to stop the construction of the Nord Stream 2. He was a co-author of relevant Senate resolutions.

“As co-sponsors of this resolution, we look forward to working with the administration and our allies and partners to increase Ukraine’s defense, ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and develop appropriate policies to deter Russia from further acts of aggression,” the statement attached to Resolution on Nord Stream 2.

Moreover, speaking of the incident in the Kerch Strait, Johnson called for a “force-back” response to the actions of Russian border guards.

“The international community basically left without an adequate response (this incident. - RT ). This is a completely wrong sign for Vladimir Putin, ”Johnson said. “With its actions, Moscow is testing the resolve of the West, and if we cannot respond by force, other episodes will follow.” We must not allow this. ”

However, it is worth recalling that the Russian border guards during the incident in the Kerch Strait acted in accordance with all the rules and laws, including international maritime law. Then three Ukrainian warships tried to cross the Russian border in the area of ​​the Crimean bridge. They did not contact the border service of the FSB of the Russian Federation, and therefore were detained. Now Ukrainian sailors are under arrest in Russia.

According to documents and testimonies of the participants in the events found on board one of the boats, the sailors had a direct order to try to get through the Kerch Strait without requesting permission. The Russian side considers the incident as a deliberate provocation of the top leadership of Ukraine.