Latest US State Dept. Statements on Russia Linked to Presidential Elections

The recent statements of US State Department on Russia are associated with the pre-election situation in the United States and the desire of the President Barack Obama's administration to leave a positive image in the history of the settlement of the Syrian conflict, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik on Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, US State Secretary John Kerry stated that Russia had to understand that Washington had "very limited" patience left in regard to Syria ceasefire violations. US Department of State spokesperson John Kirby stated later that Kerry had not meant to threaten Russia but only expressed his disappointment with the situation in Syria.

According to Zakharova, emotions run high in the United States ahead of the presidential elections due to take place in November.

"Naturally, all this is related to the fact that the previous [Obama] administration is due to leave office… A very artificial fueling and stimulation of various processes is taking place, which is in many ways not good for them," Zakharova said.

According to the spokeswoman, settlement processes require a professional approach and should not take place occasionally only "for the sake of appearance."

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the army loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting several opposition factions and militant organizations, including Daesh, which is banned in Russia, the United States and many other countries.

The Russia-US brokered ceasefire regime in Syria came into force on February 27.