"We paid attention to another anti-Russian statement voiced by Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker at the Hudson Institute on 11 June 2020", the embassy said in a statement on Friday. "This time he claimed that our country helps Damascus to perpetrate genocide, and also intends to establish a military base in Libya. It’s regretful that high-ranking administration officials spread fakes further spoiling Russia-US relations".
Schenker’s allegations come on the heels of his recent call for Russia to leave the Middle East because it allegedly plays a destructive role in the region. The Russian Embassy then reminded the US government that the United States is illegally present in Syria.
A source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Schenker's call for Russia to leave the Middle East betray ineptitude and reveal the degradation of professional standards at the US State Department.
Russia has been assisting Syria's efforts to fight terrorism and help restore the country per the request of the Syrian government. At the same time, the United States is present in Syria without being invited by the Syrian government nor has it been approved by the UN Security Council.