Russia has called for “more active contacts” between its UK embassy and the First Minister after she snubbed invites from the ambassador.
The FM’s office has declined invitations to official Russian functions in Edinburgh and London four times since June 2016, as reported in The Courier.
In correspondence between the embassy and Scottish Government, which was published under freedom of information laws, the ambassador Alexander Yakovenko also challenged Ms Sturgeon to intervene in the lack of Russian being taught in Scots schools.
Asked for their reaction to invitations being repeatedly declined by the FM’s office, the Russian Embassy in London suggested they were missed opportunities to build relations.
A spokesman said: “Although more active contacts between the Embassy/Consulate General and the First Minister would have been beneficial for our bilateral relations, it is totally up to the Scottish government to decide whether to accept our invitations or not.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Ministerial engagements are considered on a case by case basis and dependent on diary pressures and availability.”
