Russia claimed Thursday that Western calls for 'free and fair' elections in Bangladesh are an act of 'neo-colonialism.' 'We have taken note of certain European and American politicians publishing letters calling for 'free and fair' elections in Bangladesh. This is #neocolonialism,' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, according to a tweet by the ministry. Zakharova defined the calls as 'another attempt at blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.' EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell acknowledged Thursday concerns cited by EU lawmakers about the democratic situation in Bangladesh. 'The EU … will undertake an exploratory mission to the country to assess the advisability, usefulness and feasibility of an Electoral Observation Mission,' Borrell wrote in a letter. Meanwhile, 17 Bangladesh-American have addressed US President Joe Biden in a letter that asked him to 'change the current course of action to ensure a violence-free secular democratic future for Bangladesh,' according to the Dhaka Tribune.

Bangladesh will hold general elections next January.

Source: Anadolu Agency