However, other Russian authorities claimed much more public money were spent.

They did not act since the case was one for the Russian authorities alone.

There has been a total failure of the Russian authorities.

The Russian authorities knew the real background of the case, but kept it on the news for weeks.

How can one not put these questions to the Russian authorities?

We have to continue our dialogue with the Russian authorities on this point.

I would therefore just like to ask you to draw this to the attention of the Russian authorities.

This means that the Russian authorities must commit themselves just as we are doing.

It seemed that the Russian authorities had arrived in force.

The Russian authorities appear, though, and they are forced to take the couple with them.