Washington, D.C.—In a statement released today, IRI expressed its gratitude to the U.S. Department of State for its support following the Russian Federation’s designation of IRI as an “undesirable organization.”
In a statement made on the same day the designation was made public, spokesman John Kirby said “We are deeply troubled by the Russian government’s decision to designate the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) as so-called “undesirable organizations. Throughout the world, IRI and MDIF promote openness, accountability in government, and media freedom, principles Russia should seek to promote, not to suppress.”
“We are grateful for the State Department’s affirmation of the work we do around the world to advance democracy and human dignity,” said IRI President Ambassador Mark Green. “Like us, State obviously finds Vladimir Putin’s efforts to restrict democracy and democracy organizations deeply troubling.”
Yesterday, IRI released a formal statement on being designated an “undesirable organization” in Russia.
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