RUSSIA HITS BACK

Russia is blaming U.S. tech companies for interfering with its parliamentary election.

Russia’s foreign ministry announced Friday they are calling on U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan to meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov over the claims nine days before the election is set to take place, Reuters reported.

“In this regard it was stated that interference in the internal affairs of our country was absolutely unacceptable,” the statement from the ministry says.

The country said it has “undeniable proof” that tech companies violated Russia’s laws. Although companies were not named in the Friday statement, Russia threatened to fine Google and Apple early in September, citing election interference.

State Department deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter said in a briefing with reporters Friday Sullivan did have a meeting with Ryabkov but did not confirm if it was a regular meeting or if he was summoned.

Porter said the department had no comment on the accusation of election interference.