The Russian Embassy in Washington has received letters from American citizens apologizing for the statements made by the US authorities to Moscow.

This was announced by the Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov.

The diplomat expressed gratitude to the citizens of the United States who sent letters "in support of the development of friendly relations" between states.

"Many expressed their disagreement and apologized for the rash statements made recently from Washington to the Russian Federation," Antonov said in a statement on the diplomatic mission's Facebook page.

The ambassador noted that he was deeply touched by the caring position of ordinary Americans, who understand the need to build a dialogue between Moscow and Washington on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

“This approach of US citizens testifies to the fact that the potential for normalizing ties between the Russian and American peoples remains.

I express the hope that the administration will listen to the voices of the voters and stop the course of further collapse of the already excessively confrontational relations, ”the ambassador said.

  • Russian Ambassador to the USA Anatoly Antonov

  • RIA News

  • © Alexey Agaryshev

Recall that on March 17, US President Joe Biden provoked a political and diplomatic scandal when, in an interview with ABC News, he answered affirmatively to a journalist's question whether he considers Putin a "killer."

In addition, the American leader said that Putin would "pay the price" for the alleged "influence campaign" on the 2020 US presidential election.

At the same time, Biden did not specify exactly what steps he is going to take. 

After Biden's statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Russian ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, had been invited to Moscow for consultation and analysis of Russian-American relations.

At the same time, Zakharova stressed that Russia is interested in "straightening out" relations between countries that are in a difficult state and, in fact, have reached a dead end due to the fault of Washington.

“We are interested in preventing their irreversible degradation, if the Americans are aware of the risks associated with this,” - said the representative of the foreign ministry.

The Russian embassy also reacted to Biden's statement, noting that the ill-considered statements of American leaders threaten the collapse of the already "excessively confrontational relationship."

In turn, the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov drew attention to the fact that the words of the American leader testify to his unwillingness to improve relations with Russia.

“Further we will proceed from this,” concluded Peskov.

The Kremlin spokesman also described the current bilateral relationship as "very bad" and reminded that the question of how to rectify this situation should not be asked of Moscow.

At the same time, Vladimir Putin himself, commenting on the statements of the American president, wished him good health and expressed the opinion that many people tend to broadcast their own qualities to others. 

“As a child, when we argued with each other in the yard, we said:“ Whoever calls his name is called that ”.

And this is no coincidence, this is not just a childish saying and joke.

The meaning is very deep in this psychological: we always see our own qualities in another person and think that he is the same as we are, and, based on this, we evaluate his actions and give an assessment in general, "the president explained.

Speaking about relations between Moscow and Washington, Putin stressed that Russia will develop relations with the United States, but in those areas in which it is interested in itself, and on those conditions that it considers beneficial.

“And they will have to reckon with it.

Despite all attempts to stop our development, despite the sanctions and insults, they will have to reckon with this, ”concluded Putin.

The Russian leader also suggested that Joe Biden hold the talks live in an open discussion on March 19 or 22, noting that it would be interesting for the peoples of Russia and the United States, as well as for many other countries.

Dmitry Peskov later clarified that until a response from Washington is received, it is impossible to talk about specific formats of communication between the two leaders.

He also drew attention to the fact that the presidents could discuss the problems of bilateral relations, as well as issues related to "constant groundless accusations of Russia in everything that is possible."

At the same time, the United States could not give a clear answer to the proposal of the Russian president.

First, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden would be "very busy" in Georgia on March 19, and also noted that the US president had already talked to Putin, while there are world leaders with whom the head of the White House has not yet held conversation.

Later, before flying to Atlanta, Joe Biden announced that he would talk to Vladimir Putin “at some point,” but could not specify a specific date.