‘Don’t interfere!’ Mike Pompeo warns Russia to STOP MEDDLING in US domestic affairs
US SECRETARY of State Mike Pompeo berated Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a phone call on Wednesday, and warned the Kremlin against interfering in US policies, in a sign of rising tensions between the two nations.
In his first phone call with his Russian counterpart since taking office, Mr Pompeo stressed the US was seeking to improve strained relations with Moscow.
Heather Nauert, Mr Pompeo’s spokeswoman, commented on the discussion, stating: "The two discussed issues and concerns related to the bilateral relationship, Ukraine, and Syria.
“Secretary Pompeo reiterated that the United States seeks an improved relationship with Russia.”
However, she noted: “Achieving that will require Russia to demonstrate that it is prepared to take concrete actions to address our concerns, including interfering in US domestic matters.”
Secretary Pompeo reiterated that the United States seeks an improved relationship with Russia
The Russian Foreign Ministry also commented on the phone call, stating it had been organised at the US’s request.
They added: “The pair agreed on the need to work together and to overcome the existing disagreements through a professional dialogue."
The two officials also discussed Russia’s ongoing involvement in Syria and Ukraine, which has been widely condemned by western nations.
Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, blasted Russia’s “outrageous actions” in Ukraine on Tuesday.
Mike Pompeo says NATO needs solution to Russian aggression
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, she said: "The conflict in Ukraine is a textbook example of the direct violation of the sovereignty of one Member State by another Member State.
“It is precisely the kind of flagrant misconduct this body was created to address.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, Russia’s involvement in eastern Ukraine and its purported annexation of Crimea.”
In a direct warning to the Kremlin, she added: “Until Russia ends its outrageous actions in Ukraine, the position of the United States will not waver.
“Until Russia returns the Crimean Peninsula to Ukrainian control, US sanctions related to the invasion of Crimea will continue.
“And until Russia pulls its forces out of eastern Ukraine and honours its Minsk commitments, our sanctions in response to its flagrant misconduct in the eastern part of the country will stay in place.”
Relations between Russia and the US hit rock bottom after President Trump expelled 60 Russian diplomats and closed the Russian consulate in Seattle following the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury.