Russia stands by its traditional family and religious values (AFP)

The US accusations against Russia for alleged violations of citizens' religious rights have been baseless, according to the Russian embassy in the US, while the US State Secretary had already noted that US national interests as the reason behind the most recent designations.

The Russian embassy explained "Our country is baselessly accused of involvement in ‘gross violations’ of the religious rights of citizens," adding that "the statements are so worn out that the Americans do not even bother to at least ‘refresh’ the wording of the claims."

Washington has been asked to refrain from making accusations and "instead of moralizing," focus on "its own shortcomings," noting that "the aggressive campaign to discredit traditional family and religious values alone is enough."

Russia is a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state and this multiplicity is one of its strengths at the social level.

"Defending the rights of believers is an absolute priority [for Moscow]," the Russian embassy said.

Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced "designations against Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

Around the world, governments and non-state actors harass, threaten, jail, and kill individuals because of their beliefs. Today’s designations keep with our values and interests to protect national security and advance human rights around the globe. https://t.co/ilUY48Bh4i
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 2, 2022

Blinken also clearly noted, in his statement, that the designations come in order to consolidate US "values and interests" with the purpose of protecting US national security.

Zelensky approves ban of religious orgs. promoting 'Russian interests'

Simultaneously, Ukraine has banned religious organizations without any Western criticism as this serves the purpose of US national interests.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an order authorizing the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on restrictive measures against representatives of religious organizations allegedly connected with Russia to protect national security, the President’s office said on Friday.

"To put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated December 1, 2022 On Certain Aspects of the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine and the Application of Special Personal Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)," the order read.

The list of sanctioned organizations has not been revealed yet, however, the document provides that the Ukrainian government will present a bill prohibiting religious organizations allegedly "affiliated with centers of influence in the Russian Federation."

According to the decree, the Security Service of Ukraine, police, and other law enforcement departments have been ordered to strengthen measures aimed at identification and counteraction of "undermining activity" allegedly conducted by the Russian secret service in the religious environment of Ukraine.

Oleksiy Honcharenko, a member of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s party, European Solidarity, said his party had already submitted a draft bill on banning the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliates in Ukraine.