Russia says relations with US ‘lying on the floor’

A Kremlin spokesman says relations between Moscow and the United States are “lying on the floor” as tensions between the two nations heat up amid a Russian military buildup on its border with Ukraine. 

Dmitry Peskov told a Russian news agency, however, that the heads of the two nations are “in dialogue.”

“This is a plus because you know that just a couple of years ago there was zero dialogue, there were no such contacts whatsoever,” Peskov told RIA, Reuters reported. “But on the rest, unfortunately, in bilateral relations one can only talk about negatives. We are at a very, very low point. They are actually lying on the floor.”

Russia has amassed thousands of troops and weapons on the border with Ukraine in recent weeks, sparking fears of an imminent invasion. Moscow has denied any plans to invade its neighbor.

During a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend, President Biden reportedly warned of “swift and severe costs” if Russia invades Ukraine. 

“President Biden reiterated that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine would produce widespread human suffering and diminish Russia’s standing,” a readout of a call between Biden and Putin said. “President Biden was clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our Allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios.”