US President Joe Biden's description of Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a "war criminal" has pushed bilateral ties to the brink of collapse, Russia's foreign ministry says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Biden said last week Putin was a war criminal for sending tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine, and targeting civilians.
"Such statements from the American president, unworthy of a statesman of such high rank, put Russian-American relations on the verge of rupture," the ministry said in a statement.
The Kremlin earlier described the comments as "personal insults" against Putin.
The ministry summoned US Ambassador John Sullivan and told him hostile actions against Russia would receive a "decisive and firm response".
State Department spokesman Ned Price confirmed Sullivan met with Russian officials but declined to say whether the US envoy told them the United States stands behind the accusation Biden levelled at Putin.
Price told a news briefing the US believes it is important to maintain communication channels with Russia especially "during times of conflict".
"We have sought to maintain a diplomatic presence in Moscow" and the United States wants Russia to keep a similar presence in Washington, he said.
Russia's actions "call into question whether they, too, welcome these same open lines of communications", Price said.
Sullivan in the meeting repeated a demand the United States be given consular access to American citizens detained in Russia, including those in pre-trial detention, Price said.
He said Russia has barred US diplomats from meeting those Americans for months in violation of international law.
Russia has detained at least three Americans, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was arrested earlier this month at a Moscow-area airport and accused of transporting drugs.
Australian Associated Press
