Moscow - Saba:
The Russian Foreign Ministry considered France's refusal to grant visas to RIA Novosti journalists a manifestation of confrontation with Russia.
Commenting on the incident to RIA Novosti, Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that "on July 29, the French Consulate General in Moscow refused to issue a journalist visa to RIA Novosti correspondent Polina Kovaleva, who was on a long-term assignment to that country."
Zakharova added that the basis of this decision is that the Russian media employee apparently poses a "threat to public order and security."
She said, "We consider this step another manifestation of the French government's path toward further confrontation with our country, through which it seeks to completely eliminate the Russian media presence in France and suppress any sources of viewpoints alternative to those approved by the local authorities."
According to Zakharova, "With such actions, the Élysée Palace is blatantly ignoring its international obligations to ensure media pluralism and freedom of access to information, and is deliberately obstructing the normal work of journalists."
Zakharova added that "Paris has introduced into its routine practice various forms of pressure and repression against undesirable media outlets, especially Russian ones, including broadcast bans, personal sanctions, denial of access to official events, and refusal to extend or issue work visas under flimsy pretexts."
Zakharova added, "They are ready to dismantle the foundations of the democratic society of the Fifth Republic to satisfy narrow and opportunistic interests." "To the ruling circles."
Zakharova concluded by saying, "The actions of the French authorities will be met with an appropriate response."