Kremlin spokesperson calls Czech-Russian relations “muddy”

The press secretary of Vladimir Putin has described Czech-Russian relations as “muddy” at present, the Czech News Agency said, quoting Interfax. Dmitry Peskov said the Russian government had no plans for high-level contact with the Czech Republic in the near future.

These comments come after the arrest in Moscow of former journalist Ivan Safronov. His lawyers say he has been accused of treason over alleged links to the Czech intelligence service.

Interfax also referred to a recent situation in which Prague politicians, believed to face a Russian threat, were given police protection. In addition the Czech government expelled two Russian diplomats, a move that was reciprocated by the Kremlin.