US offers no comment on Russian statement over interference in Bangladesh

The United States (US) has refused to comment on the recent statement from Russia accusing the US and its allies of interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs.

During a regular media briefing on Tuesday, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said: "We support a free and fair election in Bangladesh."

When one of the reporters at the briefing asked him about the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson saying if the result of the people's vote is not satisfactory for the United States, an attempt can be made to destabilize Bangladesh like the Arab Spring, Miller responded: "I don't have any further comment from that."

Regarding whether the Biden administration was concerned about the victims falling prey to arson attacks like the Mohanganj Express train incident on Monday in the capital’s Tejgaon area, Millar said: “I’m just not familiar with that specific incident and don’t have a comment on it.”

On December 17, Russia once again accused the US and its allies of interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs, warning that US dissatisfaction with the election results could result in further destabilization of the situation here along the lines of the Arab Spring.

In a statement issued on December 15, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: "There are serious reasons to fear that in the coming weeks, an even broader arsenal of pressure tactics, including sanctions, may be used against the Bangladesh government, which is unfavourable to the West." 

She added: "In the event of US dissatisfaction with the results of the people's vote, attempts at further destabilization of the situation in Bangladesh along the lines of the ‘Arab Spring’ are likely.”