The U.S. embassy in Russia on Tuesday denied that the U.S. government provides any financing for Russian opposition political parties.

“The U.S. government has never financed and will not finance Russian political parties, movements, candidates or politicians. Only bilateral exchanges and independent non-governmental organizations,” the U.S. embassy in Moscow cited U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul in its official Twitter account.

McFaul proposed last week creation of a new fund to finance Russian non-governmental organizations.

Earlier Assistant Secretary of State on Europe and Eurasia Philip Gordon said he was in talks with the U.S. Congress about creating a new fund to assist Russian NGOs. He said that the U.S. has allocated approximately $160 million since 2009 to support human rights and anti-corruption programs, and to encourage free media and democracy in Russia.

In late 2011 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin proposed toughening penalties for those who carry out tasks on behalf of foreign states interfering in Russian political life and said Russia should establish effective protections from foreign interference for its national sovereignty.