MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. The Kremlin hopes that the United States will stop demonizing Russia using it in its domestic political battles. In addition, Moscow hopes that bilateral relations between both countries will be normalized, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists Thursday.
Asked at a news conference to comment on the US Senate’s acquittal of President Donald Trump, ending the recent impeachment trial, Peskov replied that Russia "traditionally does not consider itself entitled to intervene in the domestic affairs of the United States."
"This decision by the Senate was well predicted, and well predicted by anyone, even by those, who are not experts in US domestic affairs," he stressed.
"For us, the main thing is that during all the domestic political and pre-election struggles, the United States stops using Russia as the chief boogeyman and demon on the US arena of domestic politics since we deem this as utterly objectionable," Peskov elaborated.
The presidential spokesman also said that as soon as Washington ceases sacrificing US-Russia relations on the altar of domestic politics then "opportunities will arise to normalize ties."
The Senate voted on Wednesday to acquit US President Donald Trump of both articles of impeachment - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The results of the vote on both charges were below the two-thirds majority required - the approval of 67 senators - which was needed for Trump’s conviction and removal from office.
A total of 52 senators voted against the first article of the impeachment, 48 - in favor. The results of the second vote were largely similar, with 53 senators voting against Trump’s impeachment and 47 in favor. The voting outcome is final and cannot be appealed.
The US presidential election is scheduled for November 3, 2020.