The U.S. embassy in Moscow said that the U.S. State Department had found no reason to bar Zhirinovsky, whose behavior during visits to various other countries during the past year has been widely criticized.
But the embassy made clear it found many of Zhirinovsky's beliefs reprehensible.
Zhirinovsky, whose Liberal Democratic Party performed strongly in parliamentary elections last December, has been expelled from or refused visas to several European countries, including Bulgaria, Germany and Spain.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.