US State Department spokesman Ned Price informed of a two-way meeting at the US embassy in Moscow after Russia had announced that 10 US diplomats were expelled from the embassy in response to a similar decision by Washington.

In addition to this action, the United States imposed new sanctions on Russia on April 15 by executive order under the pretexts of alleged cyber-attacks and alleged Russian interference in November 3, 2020 elections.

As part of the presidential provision, the Treasury Department will prevent US financial institutions from buying bonds from the Central Bank, the National Wealth Fund and from Russia´s Ministry of Finance after June 14 and granting loans of funds to those institutions.

The US administration also punished six Russian high-tech companies for supporting intelligence operations, along with 32 people deeply involved in the efforts to meddle into the US elections.

On the same day of sanctions, President Joe Biden stated he had no intention of fueling up conflict with Russia and intended to keep a stable and predictable relation.

It is time to lessen tension between the United States and Russia, and follow a path based on a thoughtful talk and a diplomatic process, Biden stated.

Plus, President Biden commented that a personal meeting with Putin could take place coming summer in a European country and would be an opportunity to strike up a discussion on strategic stability.

ef/pll/oda/dsa