US Ambassador to Russia to Return Home Briefly This Week

By Staff, Agencies

US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan confirmed on Tuesday that he would travel to Washington for consultations this week, noting that he would return to Moscow before the potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Joe Biden.

"I believe it is important for me to speak directly with my new colleagues in the Biden administration in Washington about the current state of bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. Also, I have not seen my family in well over a year, and that is another important reason for me to return home for a visit. I will return to Moscow in the coming weeks before any meeting between Presidents Biden and Putin," Sullivan said.

Earlier this month, Washington imposed sanctions on 32 Russian entities, including tech firms, and individuals for their alleged interference in the 2020 US presidential election and the purported hacking of US software supply chain networks. Under the sanctions, US financial institutions are prohibited from buying Russian government bonds during primary placements after June 14. However, they will still be able to buy and sell Russian government bonds on the secondary market.

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the fresh round of US sanctions as running contrary to the interests of the two nations. In response, Moscow banned eight US citizens from entering the country, including US Attorney General Merrick Garland, US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and FBI Director Christopher Wray.