US accuses Russian official of mischaracterising Peter Haas’ meetings

The United States has accused Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova of mischaracterising US foreign policy and meetings of US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas.

A US State Department spokesperson came up with the statement on Saturday following recent remarks of Maria Zakharova, according to UNB.

The spokesperson said the United States is aware of Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's ‘deliberate mischaracterisation’ of US foreign policy and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas’ meetings.

“The United States does not support any political party in Bangladesh. Nor does the United States favor one political party over another,” the spokesperson said on Saturday.

The US State Department reiterated that they want what the Bangladeshi people want: free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner.

“To support that shared goal of free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner, the US embassy personnel engage and will continue to engage with the government, opposition, civil society, and other stakeholders to urge them to work together for the benefit of the Bangladeshi people,” said the State Department spokesperson.

Maria Zakharova, during a weekly briefing on November 22, said Bangladesh has the ability to hold parliamentary elections, scheduled for January 7 next year, without the help of overseas well-wishers.

On Saturday, the Embassy of Russia in Bangladesh posted the summary of November 22 press briefing on its verified Facebook page.

“We have not doubts regarding the ability of the Bangladeshi authorities to hold the parliamentary elections scheduled for January 7, 2024, in full compliance with national legislation, independently, without the help of overseas well-wishers,” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted in the Facebook post as saying.

The spokesperson of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said at the end of October US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas met with a member of the local opposition party to discuss plans for organising anti-government rallies.