Moscow has rejected all accusations by Western media of harassment against UK journalists, says Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russian Foreign Ministry.
Earlier, Russia did not extend visa for BBC correspondent in Moscow, Sarah Rainsford, as a response to the actions of the UK, which was said to have discriminated against the Russian media.
The journalist would have to leave before Aug. 31. “In this situation, it will not work to turn this story upside down and make it feel like it is about some kind of persecution of British journalists in Russia.
“No, it’s not like that. This is a response to the two-year persecution by the British side of Russian journalists who work or have worked in the UK.
“They were not issued visas, they were forced to leave the country without issuing the appropriate documents, without any motive.
“We keep our promise: we promised to answer, and we did,” Zakharova said at a briefing.
She said as soon as Russian correspondents began to receive UK visas, Rainsford could apply for a Russian visa at Russian foreign missions.
