US-Russia relations will be difficult to mend

Mr. Ryabkov accused the United States of attempting to interfere in Russia's internal affairs ahead of next month's presidential election, after Washington charged 13 Russian citizens with interfering in the 2014-2016 U.S. presidential campaign to support businessman Donald Trump and discredit his opponent Hillary Clinton.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Photo: AP

“Paradoxically, the Americans are taking steps to interfere in our internal affairs and escalate tensions in bilateral relations ahead of the presidential election” in Russia scheduled to take place on March 18, Mr. Ryabkov said.

“Despite this, they continue to criticize us for interfering in their electoral process, without any basis or evidence. Of course, we regret this,” the Russian deputy foreign minister stressed, referring to the possibility of imposing sanctions on 13 Russian citizens accused of interfering in last week’s US presidential election. “It will be difficult to improve relations with the United States,” Mr. Ryabkov said.

Several US congressional committees and special prosecutor Robert Mueller are investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election and collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign. Moscow has long denied any allegations of interference in the US election. In addition, the two former Cold War foes have also disagreed on crises in Ukraine, Syria and Iran, with the two countries expelling each other's diplomats last year./.