MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. The relations between Russia and the United States are currently in a deep crisis with no thaw in sight, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with Izvestia, published on Friday.

"I find it naive to assume, judging from media leaks only, that any transformation in approaches toward putting Russian-US relations on a new track is underway. Our relationship is facing a deep crisis, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel yet," Antonov maintained.

According to him, Washington is still racing to press on with economic sanctions and political pressure on Russia. "Politicians there believe that these moves should lead to a weaker Russia that would be unable to defend its rights on the international arena. By the way, that’s what Washington is aiming at in its efforts to squeeze us out of multilateral mechanisms and institutions," the Russian envoy emphasized.

"We, diplomats, especially those of us who are working in Washington, would like to see a different relationship between Russia and the US. A relationship that could be built on the respect of national interests and based on equal rights," Antonov added.