As if the U.S.-Russia relationship weren’t rocky enough, the outlook is not seen as improving.

Russia stepped up its threat game on Monday, saying it would soon be delivering “uncomfortable” information to the United States as a summit between the two nations draws near.

“The Americans must assume that a number of signals from Moscow … will be uncomfortable for them, including in the coming days,” Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency.

Russia, which also announced an expansion of its military presence on the western border, seemed to focus on weekend comments from President Joe Biden about pressing Russian President Vladimir Putin on human rights.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet in Geneva on June 16.

Ryabkov added that Russia would be able to address Biden’s queries about human rights in Russia, adding his country was more forthcoming about setting the talking points for the summit, RIA reported.

The areas of political conflict between the U.S. and Russia include the ongoing saga of Alexei Navalny, who remains in a Russian jail because of his anti-Kremlin words and activities, as well as the election-hack accusations and military movements near Ukraine.

A CNBC story Monday detailed further concerns.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s comments on Monday included the idea that a buildup may be necessary since the U.S. and the NATO were expanding their military activity to the west of Russia.

“The actions of our Western colleagues are destroying the world’s security system and force us to take adequate countermeasures,” the Interfax news agency quoted Shoigu as saying.

“Around 20 military formations and units will be formed in the Western Military District by the end of the year,” he was quoted as saying.

Add comment