Two U.S. diplomats had meetings in Kostroma - embassy
MOSCOW. Sept 5 (Interfax) - The U.S. embassy in Russia confirms that two U.S. diplomats have visited Kostroma this week for meetings with government officials and representatives of various political parties, it is normal practice, William Stevens, spokesman of the U.S. embassy in Russia, told Interfax.
Stevens confirmed that two U.S. diplomats have travelled to Kostroma this week and requested meetings with government officials and representatives of various parties participating in the upcoming local elections.
Stevens said one of the important tasks of any embassy is to try to understand the country where they are and U.S. diplomats regularly meet with Russian citizens who represent various elements of Russian society nationwide. He said Russian diplomats are doing the same in the U.S.
U.S. diplomats in Russia are meeting with government officials, top managers, academics, journalists, and politicians, both from the ruling party and from other political parties in Russia, the diplomat said.
Stevens said the purpose of such meetings is to understand the viewpoints of various elements of Russian society, adding that it is a normal component of diplomacy and it helps U.S. diplomats better understand the situation in Russia.
Some media earlier reported that opposition activist Alexei Navalny had met with U.S. diplomats in Kostroma.
