Russian Ambassador Kislyak Says Ties With US 'Victim of Political Fighting'

Russian Ambassador to the United States said that ties between the two nations were held hostage to political infighting in Washington.

NEW YORK (Sputnik) — Russian Ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, said Friday that ties between the two nations were held hostage to political infighting in Washington but added there was hope for an improvement.

"The [Russia-US] bilateral relations have fallen victim to internal political fighting in this country [the US] and I am saddened to see that the sacrifice is so readily made," the diplomat told reporters in New York.

Kislyak, who has been embroiled by local media in a scandal over alleged Russian contacts with Donald Trump’s camp during the 2016 presidential campaign, said Moscow had patience to wait it out.

"In the words of our president, we have enough patience, we’ll wait. When the US is ready for serious work on issues that bring us together in a manner that will benefit long-term interests of both Russia and the US, the relationship will undoubtedly get better… There is optimism," he said.

Kislyak has refused to comment on allegations he had met with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner prior to his appointment to the post of senior adviser. "I do not comment on my daily contacts, this is our policy and it applies not only to talks with Kushner but also to all our day-to-day negotiations."

The Washington Post reported last week that Kushner and former national security adviser Michael Flynn met with Kislyak last December in Trump Tower to discuss setting up a secure communication channel to shield pre-inauguration talks from US intelligence eavesdropping.

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the issue, saying that US officials have "lost their mind," as it is an ambassador’s job to meet with people. The Russian president said he is aware of the content of the ambassador's talks with former Trump's National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, saying he sees nothing bad in them. He added that didn't know about the meeting before it took place.

US National Security Adviser Michael Flynn announced his decision to resign on February 14 amid a growing controversy surrounding his conversation with Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak before Trump's inauguration. In his resignation letter, Flynn noted he had not given Vice President Mike Pence complete information about his conversations with Kislyak.

In early March, the CNN broadcaster, citing US intelligence officials, called Kislyak a "top spy" and "recruiter of spies."

Russia has repeatedly called on the US to stop the "bullying" campaign against Kislyak, adding that he regularily meets US officials as it is his duty.