WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — He also added that Moscow will take concrete measures to begin preparing for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in the near future.
"I am certain that [Trump and Putin] will meet because there is a pressing need for it," Kislyak said. "And I believe that in the near future, when we begin practical interaction with the US Department of State and the White House, we will begin working on these matters in practical terms."
Kislyak pointed out that the meeting will require thorough planning and substantial preparation.
"President Putin and President Trump have spoken twice, and both times they remarked on the importance of getting back to normality, of improving the relationship," Kislyak said. "I think that there is a real chance for it, but, given the current political situation, the process will be long and difficult."
Detention of Russian Nationals by US
When asked whether the Kremlin will raise the issue of US arresting Russian citizens in third countries around the world, Kislyak stated, "Certainly."
Kislyak explained Russian officials bring up the issue "at every meeting, at all levels, because we consider this, which is, in fact, a hunt for Russian citizens, absolutely unacceptable."
Even if the US authorities have legal claims toward Russian citizens, in normal and civilized conditions "the countries that have an agreement on legal collaboration and assistance could request the state for help in identifying the actions of people who did them, which are against the law," Kislyak said.
However, the Russian ambassador added, such approach "does not happen."
"Instead, our American colleagues basically opened a hunt for Russian citizens. This is absolutely unacceptable. And we certainly cannot accept it," Kislyak stressed.
Konstantin Dolgov, Russian Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, said earlier that a possible move by the Trump administration to normalize bilateral relations would be to give up the practice of arresting Russian nationals in third countries.
In April, the Russian Foreign Ministry renewed its warning to Russian nationals of the threat of being detained or arrested at the request of US law enforcement or security services in third countries.
Diplomatic Properties Blocked by Obama
Russia will continue to request that the United States return access to its two diplomatic compounds that were blocked by the administration of former US President Barack Obama in violation of international law, Russian Ambassador to the United States said.
"We demand to return the access to Russian diplomatic properties, because this decision by the Obama administration is a violation of the Vienna Convention," Kislyak told reporters. "This territory belongs to the Russian Federation."
Kislyak emphasized that Russia does not plan to change its position on the matter.
The US refusal to allow Russian officials access to a diplomatic compound in New York violates its international responsibilities as the host country to the United Nations (UN), Sergey Kislyak said.
"Regarding the denial of the access to the property near New York, it is a violation of the US obligations as host country to the United Nations," Kislyak told reporters. "Our mission has the same right to diplomatic properties, like everyone else, and no one has the right to take it from us."
No Evidence of Russia Alleged Interference in Presidential Election
“They do not have any evidence, and therefore do not respond to us,” Kislyak said when asked about the US response on Moscow’s requests to present evidence of the accusations. “Besides, it’s not like them to respond. They usually take the position that they know everything, and others should go from it. Maybe some can go from this, but Russia has its own position.”
On January 6, the US Intelligence Community released a report saying it had high confidence that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election.
Then-President-elect Donald Trump, after getting briefed by US intelligence officials, said cyberattacks had no impact on the outcome of the election.
The report did not offer proof for the claims that Russia attempted to hack and influence the US election process. Russia has repeatedly denied the US allegations calling them absurd and characterizing them as an attempt to divert public opinion from revelations of corruption as well as other pressing domestic issues.
