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The U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a safety alert on March 7, warning that its personnel had been “monitoring stories that extremists have imminent plans to focus on massive gatherings in Moscow, to incorporate concert events.” The assertion warned Individuals that an assault might happen within the subsequent 48 hours.
The warning was associated to the assault on Friday, in response to folks briefed on the matter. Nevertheless it was not associated to attainable Ukrainian sabotage, American officers stated, including that the State Division wouldn’t have used the phrase “extremists” to warn about actions ordered from Kyiv.
Professional-Kremlin voices instantly seized on the U.S. Embassy’s warning to color America as making an attempt to scare Russians.
America officers are fearful that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia might search to falsely blame Ukraine for the assault, placing strain on Western governments to establish who they suppose could also be accountable. Mr. Putin ceaselessly twists occasions, even tragic ones, to suit his public narrative. And he has been fast to accuse Ukraine of acts of terrorism to justify his invasion of the nation.
U.S. officers stated Mr. Putin might do this once more after Friday’s assault, looking for to make use of the lack of life to undermine assist for Ukraine each domestically and world wide.
On March 19, the Russian chief referred to as the U.S. Embassy assertion “apparent blackmail” made with “the intention to intimidate and destabilize our society.” However he had but to remark instantly on the assault Friday.
John Kirby, a spokesman for President Biden’s Nationwide Safety Council, instructed reporters on Friday that the White Home had “no indication at the moment that Ukraine or Ukrainians had been concerned.” He added: “We’re looking at it. However I might disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.”
“Our ideas clearly are going to be with the victims of this horrible, horrible taking pictures assault,” he additionally stated.
Russia’s international ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, stated nevertheless, in response to Reuters, “On what foundation do officers in Washington draw any conclusions within the midst of a tragedy about somebody’s innocence?” She added that if Washington had data, it needs to be shared.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a prime adviser to Ukraine’s presidential workplace, stated in a video assertion that “Ukraine has completely nothing to do” with the assault.
Aishvarya Kavi contributed reporting.
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