Sergei Lavrov has stressed "the unacceptability of the actions of the US authorities, who have arrested Russian citizen Maria Butina in the United States on the basis of fabricated charges, and the need for her early release," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a telephone conversation at the US side’s request.
"The minister and the secretary of state also discussed the situation in and around Syria, including the possible interaction of Russia and the United States with other countries to address humanitarian problems in Syria and the tasks associated with supporting the efforts to promote the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," the commentary on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website read.
Maria Butina is a student from Russia who recently graduated from American University in Washington DC with a Master's Degree in International Relations.
Russian Human Rights Council Head Asks US Civil Rights Commission to Protect Butina
Mikhail Fedotov, chairman of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, asked the US Commission on Civil Rights' head Catherine Lhamon to make efforts to protect the rights and freedoms of Russian citizen Maria Butina, arrested in the United States, according to a letter published on Saturday.
"The Council is deeply concerned by the situation surrounding the young Russian woman. I ask you, dear Ms. Lhamon, to take into account our concerns and to make all necessary efforts to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms in relation to Russian citizen Maria Butina," Fedotov said in a letter, as quoted on the council's website.
READ MORE: Russian Diplomats to Visit Maria Butina in US Detention on Thursday
On July 15, US authorities arrested Butina, 29, and charged her with both conspiracy to act and with acting as a foreign agent. Despite denying the accusations, the Russian citizen faces up to 15 years in jail.
