After the news of "secret talks", frequent Russian comments regarding relations with Washington

The Russian ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, called on Wednesday for the need to maintain contacts with the United States "to prevent an escalation of unpredictable consequences" after reports of secret talks between the two sides.

For his part, Konstantin Kosachev, Vice-President of the Russian Federation Council, announced the readiness of the council members for dialogue with US legislators.

Kosachev said in a statement that the dialogue between the two sides was not interrupted at the initiative of Russia, and questioned the possibility of resuming contacts between the legislators of the two countries.

He pointed out the absence of any changes in the positions of members of Congress and members of the US Senate because of their unanimity in taking an anti-Russian stance, he said.

Antonov warned against any escalation with unpredictable consequences (French)

It still is and will be...

For its part, the Kremlin said that relations with the United States are and will remain "bad" and that the new congressional elections will not affect this.

And on allegations of Russian interference in the US elections, the Kremlin said in a statement that it is already "used to hear", noting that it is too early to talk about a dialogue with Washington on extending the New START agreement.

The Kremlin added that the importance of the congressional elections for relations with the United States was greatly exaggerated.

The relations of the two countries are going through the worst diplomatic crises in their history, in conjunction with the Russian attack on Ukraine, which is supported by the administration of President Joe Biden by providing weapons and financial aid.

Two days ago, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials, that National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held secret talks with top Russian Presidential aides, in an attempt to reduce the risk of a wider conflict in Ukraine, and to warn Moscow against resorting to military action. Nuclear or biological weapon.

Those officials said the secret talks - conducted in recent months between Sullivan, his counterpart Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of the Russian Security Council, and Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president's aide - were aimed at reducing the risks of escalation and keeping channels open, not discussing a settlement of the war.