Russia Threatens to Cut Relations with the US

The Interfax news agency reported today, Friday, that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that "Moscow may cut diplomatic relations with the United States if it seizes Russian assets frozen due to the Ukrainian conflict." Ryabkov said, "The United States should not deceive itself... that Russia is clinging to diplomatic relations with that country." He added, "Russia is prepared to respond quickly in kind to the United States' deployment of short- and medium-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region." Ryabkov noted that "Moscow is closely monitoring the development of American missiles, the potential deployment, and is ready to make necessary political decisions quickly to respond in kind." He continued, "Moscow and Washington are still in contact regarding a potential prisoner exchange between the two countries."