The relations between the United States and Russia are on the verge of rupture, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned on Tuesday.
"Yesterday, a note of protest, which stressed that what is happening has put the relations on the verge of rupture, was handed over to the American ambassador. There is nothing more than what was said there", Ryabkov said.
The diplomat emphasised that whether bilateral ties will be severed depends on the course Washington chooses.
"[The United States] just needs to stop escalating tensions, both verbally and in terms of pumping up the Kiev regime with weapons. They must stop producing threats against Russia", Ryabkov told reporters, answering a question on whether the Russian side has an understanding of what Washington could do to salvage relations.
At the same time, he said that if Washington manages to have a positive impact Kiev, which he doubts will happen, "then there will generally be a certain prospect for normalising relations".
The deputy foreign minister reiterated that sanctions or US pressure will have zero influence on Russia's determination to complete the special military operation.
