Anatoly Antonov, Russia's Ambassador to the United States, stated he had received a letter requesting that he issue a public statement condemning the Russian government.

Antonov told Bolshaya Igra (Big Game) show on Russia's Channel 1, "I have recently received a letter by mail, with a call to denounce my motherland and condemn the Russian president’s actions. And I was recommended to make an inquiry to the office of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman if I am ready to accept the proposal."

Antonov went on to say that the Russian Embassy has asked for clarification from the US Department of State on the matter.

"I don’t think that the US ambassador or US diplomats in Moscow are receiving any letters of this kind, which in my opinion are provocative," he expressed, adding that "when I see US media publications calling upon Russian servicemen and diplomats to betray their homeland, I have no words to describe my rejection of such moves."

According to the Ambassador, several persons were seen outside the Russian Embassy passing out phone numbers and asking personnel to "communicate with FBI agents." At the same time, the Ambassador stated that he could not be certain if those individuals were special agents or simply critics.