Russian ambassador to US returns to Moscow for consultations

Washington, March 22 Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov returned to Moscow for consultations, according to an announcement by the Russian Embassy in Washington.

"Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov is on his way to Moscow to participate in consultations on rectifying Russia-US relations," the embassy said in a post on its official Facebook page on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The embassy also posted two juxtaposed pictures, one showing Antonov, in a black jacket, at an airport and the other, an airplane which appeared to be the one Antonov will fly in with a Russian flag on the outside surface of the cockpit.

Antonov flew from New York, as there is no direct flight between Washington and the Russian capital amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Russia's TASS news agency. He will arrive in Moscow on Sunday.

Russia recalled its top envoy in the United States after US President Joe Biden said in an interview with ABC News that aired Wednesday that Russia will "pay a price" for its alleged interference in the 2020 US election.

A US intelligence report released Tuesday directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering a wide-ranging influence operation to interfere in the 2020 US election, intending to hurt Biden's campaign.

In the ABC News interview, Biden also agreed with the interviewer's claim that Putin was "a killer".

Responding directly to Biden's remarks, Putin said Thursday: "I would say to him: I wish you good health. I say that without irony or joking."

"I would like to offer President Biden (the opportunity) to continue our discussion, but on condition that we'll do so what is called live, online. Without anything pre-recorded, in an open and direct discussion," Putin said. "It seems to me, it would be interesting both for the Russian people and for the US people, as well as for many other countries."

Asked by reporters whether Biden regretted the "killer" statement, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a press briefing Thursday, "Nope. The President gave a direct answer to a direct question," adding Washington still wishes to develop its relationship with Moscow.

"The current US administration never ceases to surprise us with its absurd public statements. It's not just about the unseemly attacks against Russia's top officials, but also the absurd accusations of Russia's interference in last year's presidential election in the United States," Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry said in comments posted Friday on the Facebook page of the Russian Embassy in Washington.

( With inputs from IANS )