Russia's Justice Ministry has added a U.S. organization on the list of "undesirable organizations" under a law that Moscow says is needed to prevent foreign organizations from being used to undermine Russian national security.
Critics say the law that was endorsed in May 2015 stifles civil society under President Vladimir Putin.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) -- a nonprofit organization that supports democratic institutions and civil societies across the world -- was blacklisted on March 17.
NDI, established in 1983, is chaired by its founder, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
The Russian Prosecutor-General's Office moved to recognize NDI's activities in Russia as undesirable on March 10.
NDI criticized the move, saying that "the real purpose of the Russian law...is to further isolate the Russian people."
