Russian Ambassador: US-Russia Relations in 'Bad Shape'

Russia ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov says the relationship between Russia and the U.S. is as bad as he can remember.

"It seems to me that atmosphere in Washington is poisoned, it's poisoned. It's a toxic atmosphere … it depends upon us to decide whether we are in Cold War or not," Antonov told NBC's "Today" show on Friday.

"But … I don't remember such (a) bad shape of our relations."

Adding that "today Russia's responsible for everything, even for bad weather. It's time for us to stop blaming each other. It's high time for us to start (a) real conversation about real problems."

The U.S., along with the U.K., France, and Germany blamed Russia for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. And 26 countries, including the U.S., kicked out more than 150 Russian diplomats in response, NBC News reported.

The ambassador explained why Russia announced that it was kicking out 58 employees from the U.S. embassy in Moscow, saying, "If anybody slaps your cheek, your face, what will be the reaction from your side ... You will retaliate. It goes without saying."

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