Russian ambassador compares claims of Russian interference in Catalonia to windmills
MOSCOW. Oct 5 (Interfax) - Russian Ambassador to Spain Yury Korchagin has labeled media reports on Russia's alleged interference in Catalan events as gossip and compared them to windmills.
The Russian embassy in Spain published a statement on its website regarding reports of Russia's interference in events in Catalonia in the form of a dialogue between the Russian ambassador and Sancho Panza, a fictional character from Miguel de Cervantes' novel Don Quixote. Sancho Panza "got lost in rumors" and "asked the ambassador to explain what was going on."
"Let your conscience be clean. Let them say what they want. Trying to tie a gossip's tongue is the same as filling a field with gates," the Russian ambassador is imagined as telling the fictional character.
In the dialogue, Korchagin recalls that Russia and Spain have been friends for centuries and doubts that the friendship can be spoiled.
"You are right. These are real windmills. The friendship between Russia and Spain has lasted for almost 500 years. Remember, my dear Sancho, that nothing can spoil true friendship," the ambassador says.
Earlier, a source close to circles in the Spanish government told Interfax that Madrid sees no reasons to think that there is a "Russian connection" with regard to the Catalan independence referendum.