Russia strongly denied allegations of interfering in the Georgian general election, in which the pro-Russian ruling party won, in the former Soviet state of Georgia.
According to TASS news agency, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said at a briefing on the 28th (local time), "We strongly reject such claims" and added, "We do not interfere in Georgia's internal affairs and have no intention to do so."
Peskov stated, "It is common for several countries to accuse Russia of interference in certain situations, but it is not true," and insisted, "There was no interference, and such claims are completely unfounded."
He pointed out that it can be confirmed through various public statements that many European forces and institutions tried to influence the Georgian election results.
On the 26th, after the pro-Russian ruling party 'Georgian Dream' succeeded in winning a majority in the Georgian general election, Salome Zurabishvili, President of Georgia, declared, "I do not recognize the election results," alleging Russian interference.
International election monitoring organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), as well as the European Union (EU) and the United States, also called for investigations, citing illegal activities during the election process.
Regarding a question about Israel's retaliatory airstrikes on Iran on the 26th, Peskov said, "Russia urges restraint from the parties involved in the conflict and is making every effort to ease tensions."
He emphasized, "Russia maintains contact with all parties involved in this conflict. We are in contact with Iran, as well as Israel and Palestine."
He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not have contact with heads of states related to the Middle East conflict over the weekend following the airstrikes on Iran.
Peskov revealed that during the BRICS summit on the 24th, when President Putin met with UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, "They exchanged views on various issues," and "There were no particular disagreements."
Regarding the UN Secretariat's announcement that Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the importance of ships freely navigating the Black Sea for global food and energy security during his meeting with President Putin, Peskov responded, "Since it was a private meeting, I cannot disclose details."
He further explained that the meeting was kept private at the request of Secretary-General Guterres.
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