The spokesperson for the Kremlin stated that the recent controversy regarding the U.S. Attorney General's connections with Russia could damage the improvement of relations between Moscow and Washington. According to the Associated Press, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, told reporters on Thursday, March 2, that he had no information about Attorney General Jeff Sessions' meeting with the Russian ambassador in Washington. The Washington Post reported that Jeff Sessions met with the Russian ambassador twice during the 2016 election campaign in July and September. This is despite Sessions denying any contact with Russia during his confirmation hearing in the U.S. Senate. Although the White House described the report as a political attack from Democrats, it confirmed the meeting between Sessions and the Russian ambassador; the White House stated that Sessions did nothing wrong. In his press conference on Thursday, Peskov, while unaware of such a meeting, said that meetings between Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador in Washington, with lawmakers and U.S. officials are normal and part of ambassadors' duties. Jeff Sessions was a member of the U.S. Senate before being appointed Attorney General by Donald Trump. Dmitry Peskov further stated that Moscow's position is one of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries. Previously, the Obama administration accused Russia of attempting to influence the elections through cyberattacks on the Democratic campaign. Moscow has denied these accusations. The Kremlin spokesperson also described the atmosphere surrounding Jeff Sessions as an 'emotional space' that 'leads to resistance against the idea of dialogue between Russia and the U.S.' Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, also told the Associated Press that her ministry does not comment on reports of meetings between the Russian ambassador and American political figures. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also stated that American media are overly sensitive about contacts between Donald Trump's associates and Russia. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, called for Jeff Sessions' resignation. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, also demanded his resignation. Jeff Sessions stated on NBC on Thursday, 'I have never met with any Russians regarding the election. These statements are shocking and incorrect.' In this context, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives called for the Attorney General's resignation, and White House lawyers have asked staff to 'preserve documents related to Russian interference.' Jeff Sessions was confirmed as Attorney General by the Senate.
Kremlin: The Controversy Surrounding the U.S. Attorney General Harms Washington-Moscow Relations
The Kremlin has warned that the controversy surrounding U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' meetings with the Russian ambassador could harm U.S.-Russia relations. Sessions, who has faced calls for resignation from Democratic leaders, denied any wrongdoing regarding his contacts with Russia during the 2016 election. This situation highlights ongoing tensions and political divisions in the U.S.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Kremlin expressed concern that the controversy surrounding Attorney General Jeff Sessions' meetings with the Russian ambassador could negatively impact U.S.-Russia relations. Sessions denied any wrongdoing, while Democratic leaders called for his resignation over the matter.
- Sessions met with the Russian ambassador twice during the 2016 election campaign.
- The White House confirmed the meetings but defended Sessions, stating he did nothing wrong.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. has accused Russia of interfering in its elections, leading to significant political fallout and investigations. Sessions' connections to Russia have become a focal point in these discussions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%