Moscow Dismisses Claims of `Psychological Pressure` on US Diplomats in Russia

«Clearly orchestrated by the US Department of State, the info leak by the ABC television claiming that the staff of the US embassy in Russia has been receiving threats and has become a target of 'psychological pressure' is unfounded and far from reality," the ministry said in a statement.

«We suggest that our colleagues at the US State Department avoid adding even more controversy to the already 'gloomy' atmosphere in our relations," the ministry said, adding that it’s a sure way to deepen the rift between the two countries.

The ABC News reported Monday, citing unidentified US officials, that «the number of incidents, targeting American diplomats in Moscow, has increased in recent years to levels not seen since the Cold War."

According to ABC, the alleged actions differed from petty ones as deliberately opening windows in the embassy staff's flats in winter to more serious ones, such as harassing of the staff by embassy guards, provided by Russia. The report in particular states that former Ambassador Michael McFaul was under active pressure.

RIA Novosti