A delegation of the Russian State Duma visited the US Capitol, which caused a wave of outrage among congressmen. The meeting was organised by Republican Anna Paulina Luna. The event was also attended by several other US lawmakers.
Details of the meeting
On 26 March, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna posted a photo from a meeting with a delegation from the Russian State Duma at the Capitol. The delegation included Vyacheslav Nikonov, grandson Vyacheslav Molotov, and several members of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee.
The event was also attended by legislators Eli Crane, Derrick Van Orden і Andy Ogles. They were photographed outside the US Institute of Peace, named after Donald Trump, and walked through the Capitol's statue hall.
Reaction of congressmen
Several members of the US Congress have sharply criticised this meeting. Democrat Mike Quigley said that the visit of Russian politicians poses a threat to the security of the US Congress and democracy.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner called the event “extremely problematic”. Criticism was also voiced by Republicans, who stressed the inadmissibility of hosting representatives of Putin's “military criminal regime”.
Position of the organisers
Derrick Van Orden, a participant of the meeting, said that dialogue is necessary to achieve peace and that the United States should not go to war with Russia. Anna Paulina Luna stressed the importance of open channels of communication between nuclear superpowers.
She added that such meetings promote peace and economic opportunity, and support the administration's diplomatic efforts.
Context.
The visit of the Russian delegation to the Capitol took place against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine and tense relations between the United States and Russia.
The United States maintains a tough policy of sanctions against Russian officials and restrictions on official contacts. Such meetings provoke a sharp reaction in both the political and public environment.
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