Moscow has blasted London for not inviting President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, calling the decision deeply immoral.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the UK Foreign Office notified Moscow that invitations to the queen’s funeral were not sent to Russian officials due to the conflict in Ukraine.

“We regard this attempt to use a national tragedy… for geopolitical goals and to settle scores with our country as deeply immoral,“ Ms Zakharova said in a statement, accusing Britain of siding with “the Nazis and their Ukrainian accomplices.’’

The statement added that “we have to say that the example of Elizabeth II, who was a very strong unifying force and did not interfere in politics during her reign as a matter of principle, has not stopped London from making divisive statements in furtherance of its opportunistic aims.’’ 

Invitations to the queen’s funeral have not been sent to Russia or Belarus against the backdrop of the invasion of Ukraine, the news agency PA reported.

Ms Elizabeth died on September 8, at the age of 96, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. 

Her first son then-Prince Charles automatically became the new king of Britain.

Numerous heads of state and government from all over the world are expected to attend the state funeral for the queen, scheduled for Monday. 

(dpa/NAN)