Washington, D.C. – The Russian Embassy in the United States claimed that it was not informed about an impending terrorist attack in Moscow. Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, stated to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that they had not received any warnings from the U.S. regarding a potential terror threat.
The U.S. diplomatic mission had previously issued warnings to Americans to avoid large gatherings in Moscow at the start of March due to reports of extremists planning to target such events. However, Russian President Putin had dismissed these warnings as provocative and outright blackmail during a meeting with the FSB earlier in the week.
Antonov emphasized that the embassy did not receive any advance notifications or messages regarding the potential threat, and he had not communicated with either the White House or the State Department on the matter. He expressed frustration over the breakdown of contacts between the U.S. and the Russian Federation in the fight against terrorism, placing the blame on the U.S. side.
Following the attack at Crocus, Antonov highlighted the historical willingness of Russia to cooperate with the U.S. in the fight against terrorism, dating back to 2001 when Russian President extended his hand to America for support. He lamented the deteriorating state of relations and the impact on the joint efforts to combat terrorism.
The comments from the Russian Embassy underscore the strained relations between the U.S. and Russia, particularly in matters related to security and counter-terrorism efforts. The lack of communication and coordination between the two countries has raised concerns about the effectiveness of global anti-terrorism efforts and the potential implications for international security.