Russia: "We are perplexed by Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis"

Maria Zakharova answered to the false accusations of the Spanish Government: "We are perplexed by Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis' statements that Russia is interested in a weaker Spain. It is unclear what prompted him to make such a “revelation”". Madrid believes Russian-based groups used online social media to heavily promote Catalonia’s independence referendum last month in an attempt to destabilize Spain, Spanish ministers said on Monday.

Ramon Tremosa, the EU lawmaker for the PDeCat party of Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, repeated on Monday that Russian interference had played no part in the referendum.

“Those that say Russia is helping Catalonia are those that have helped the Russian fleet in recent years, despite the EU’s boycott,” Tremosa tweeted, referring to Spanish media reports that Spain was allowing Russian warships to refuel at its ports. Those who voted in the referendum opted overwhelmingly for independence.

Russian Foreign Minister dismisses Russia's alleged meddling into Catalonia crisis as 'hysteria. Sergei Lavrov dismissed on Wednesday (November 15) allegations that Moscow had instigated separatist sentiment in Catalonia as “hysteria”, reported Interfax news agency.

On Monday (November 13), Spanish ministers accused Moscow of encouraging Catalonia’s independence bid through social media groups to “destabilise Spain.”

During a press conference, Lavrov said accusations came from places that hadn’t entirely resolved their internal problems, like Madrid and London.