US-Russia ties lowest in decades; envoy compares to "ice-age"

Moscow: Chances are high that a clash between the United States and Russia might occur, the Russian ambassador to the US said on Friday. He compared the two power relations to an "ice age", Reuters reported citing Russian state-owned media TASS.

Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said that it was hard to say when dialogue on strategic talks between the two sides could resume. However, dialogues on prisoner swaps went "effective" and would continue.

The ties between the two powers reached the lowest in decades after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the West imposed sanctions on Moscow.

In two prisoner exchanges, Russia freed US Marine veteran Trevor Reed and basketball star Brittney Griner for convicted drug smuggler Konstantin Yaroshenko and arms dealer Viktor Bout. These were two rare instances of successful diplomacy between the US and Russia this year.

Meanwhile, exactly 300 days after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, Zelenskyy addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress on Wednesday.

Zeleknskyy, who received a standing ovation from senate members, said Ukraine did not fall but was alive and kicking.

Ukrainian President's address to the Senate aims at persuading Republican lawmakers to continue releasing funds for Ukraine's defence against Russia, Reuters reported.

"It is a great honour for me to be at the US Congress and speak to you and all Americans against all doom and gloom scenarios, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking," Zelenskyy reportedly said.

In a vigorous show of solidarity with Ukraine, three members held up a large Ukrainian flag during the ovation.