Russia is threatening to cut ties with the US the

Russia is threatening to cut ties with the US, the agency says

Kremlin officials say bilateral ties will be severed if the country’s assets are seized

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Russia has said it will sever diplomatic ties with the United States if Russian assets are seized. The statement was made by Alexander Darchiev, director of the US department of the Kremlin’s Foreign Ministry, to TASS agency in an interview published on Friday evening (August 12, 2022).

According to Darchiev, the US and other countries “trampled” Russia based on international rights and diplomatic principles. The director also explained that Americans were warned about the possibility of a breakup.

“I would like to mention the legislative initiative currently being discussed in Congress. [dos EUA] Declare Russia a “country that supports terrorism”. These measures will cause serious collateral damage to bilateral diplomatic ties, even reducing or even breaking them off,” Darchiev said.

The diplomat said the United States was becoming a “direct part” of the conflict in Ukraine and increasing its influence in Kyiv.

Since the beginning of the conflict, which began on February 24, Russia has been suffering from economic sanctions and an asset freeze by the Russian government and authorities.

Before the measures were enacted, Russia’s international reserves were viewed as assets for the country to survive the war economically.

Darchiev confirmed in the interview that the countries are talking about prisoner exchanges. Russia is currently holding two American prisoners: basketball player Brittney Griner and exmilitary man Paul Whelan. On the other hand, the US has sentenced Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer, to 25 years in prison.

“This very sensitive issue, the exchange of convicted Russian and US citizens, is being discussed through the channels established by our presidents. These individuals are actually discussed. The Russian side has long been trying to secure Viktor Bout’s release. The details should be left to professionals,” he said.

On August 4, the Khimki court in Moscow sentenced Griner to 9 years in prison for drug smuggling. With two Olympic gold medals, the American is a renowned basketball player. In July, the athlete confessed to having entered the airport with drugs.

Days after the conviction, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the country was “ready” to negotiate a prisoner swap with the United States.