Using Factor of Russia in Discussions on Brexit 'New Phenomenon'

British Prime Minister David Cameron's use of anti-Russian scaremongering to dissuade British voters from backing the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union is a "new phenomenon," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier this week, UK Prime Minister David Cameron suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin would benefit if the June Brexit vote passes.

"We have already got accustomed to the fact that the factor of Russia is a stable instrument in the US electoral campaign. But it is a new thing for us that the factor of Russia or President Putin is being used in the Brexit issue. It is a new phenomenon," Peskov told journalists.

Russia is interested in developing mutually beneficial relations with the West, he noted.

"Let's not forget that President Putin has repeatedly spoken about our interest to develop good, collaborative, and mutually beneficial relations with EU member states both in general, as an organization or entity, and separately," Peskov added.

UK citizens are set to vote on June 23 in a referendum on the country's EU membership, after Cameron and the leaders of the 27 other EU member states reached a deal in February to grant the United Kingdom special status within the bloc.