The American embassy in Moscow was "not fulfilling its official duties" to maintain communication, the Russian foreign ministry claimed on Monday, despite the fact that Russia was prepared for negotiations on a prisoner exchange to release American nationals detained in Russia.
"We have emphasised many times that we are ready for dialogue to determine the destiny of U.S. nationals sentenced in Russia and Russian citizens in the U.S.," said Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry.
Russian officials have previously said they are open to exchanging prisoners for American Marine Corps veteran Paul Whelan, basketball player Brittney Griner, and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is currently imprisoned in the US.
Griner is serving a 9 year jail sentence for possession and smuggling of cannabis, while Whelan is serving a 16 year term for espionage.
U.S. President Joe Biden met the families of Whelan and Griner at the White House on Friday, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying that the administration is committed to “working through all available avenues to bring Brittney and Paul home safely”.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said that what it called “megaphone diplomacy” from Washington would not help efforts to organise a prisoner exchange, urging closed talks instead.