Moscow labels 3 US NGOs as undesirable for anti-Russian activities

MOSCOW -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned US Ambassador Lynne Tracy to notify that three US NGOs have been declared undesirable in Russia.

The NGOs, supported by the embassy, "implementing programs and projects that aim to recruit 'agents of influence' against Russia under the guise of educational and cultural exchanges," the ministry said in a statement.

In a note to Tracy, the ministry demanded the US embassy to stop supporting these NGOs, said the statement.

Under Russian law, the NGOs identified as undesirable may have their assets seized, offices closed and operation banned.

The ministry also warned that any attempts to interfere in Russia's internal affairs, including subversive actions and the spread of disinformation related to the election and the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, will be "severely and decisively suppressed, up to and including the expulsion as 'persona non grata' of US embassy employees involved in such actions."