Russia: Allegations that we have given refuge to advocates of Catalan secession from Spain are false

Madrid-Sana

Russian Ambassador to Madrid Yuri Korchagin stressed that Russia supports Spain's territorial integrity and has not offered any refuge to Catalan separatists fleeing the country.

"The official authorities in Madrid know our position and have repeatedly declared it at several levels. Russia supports the territorial integrity of our friendly Spain so that all internal issues are resolved within the framework of Spanish law and in accordance with the constitution," Korchagin said in a press statement today.

"What amazes me is that Russia, which for all these years has put forward a positive agenda regarding Spain, is suddenly confronted with fabricated news claiming that it is trying to harm Spain, which is an absolute lie," Korchagin added.

Korchagin noted that the Catalan separatists are not currently in Russia.

The New York Times published a report claiming that supporters of the leader of the Catalan separatist movement, Carles Puigdemont, who is currently residing in Belgium, are in contact with Russian citizens in Moscow.