[US Midterm Elections] Russia: "US Midterm Election Results Will Not Change Deteriorated Bilateral Relations"

Dmitry Peskov, Russian Kremlin spokesperson
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Russia dismissed allegations that the Russian government interfered in the U.S. midterm elections and predicted that the election results would have no impact on the deteriorating relations between the two countries.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, told Sputnik News on the 9th (local time), "The U.S. midterm elections essentially cannot change anything," adding, "The relationship between Russia and the U.S. will continue to worsen."

Regarding allegations that Russia interfered in this election to manipulate public opinion within the U.S., he said, "We are so used to hearing such claims that we pay no attention to new allegations at all."

Earlier, on the 7th, major foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) reported suspicions that Russian authorities attempted to manipulate public opinion in the U.S. midterm elections by deploying 'comment troops.' It was reported that Russia created social networking service (SNS) accounts to spread fake news attacking the Democratic Party and posted messages claiming that U.S. support for Ukraine was unjust, thereby provoking conservative-leaning American voters.

Meanwhile, Peskov appeared to distance himself from news that the U.S. and Russia have begun discussions on extending the nuclear arms control treaty, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).

The U.S. proposed to Russia last January, ahead of the treaty's expiration, to extend the agreement for five years until 2026, and Russia has accepted this. Regarding reports of the resumption of negotiations coming from the U.S. government, he responded, "It is still too early to have talks with the U.S. on this subject."