The United States has announced sweeping sanctions against Russia, expelling ten of its diplomats and targeting forty-six companies and individuals.
The White House blamed Moscow for a range of what it called harmful foreign activities including cyber attacks and meddling in US elections.
The Kremlin says new sanctions must stop if the US wants to mend it's relationship with Russia.
Tensions are already high between the nations after Russian troops amassed at the border of eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.
New York Times correspondent Andrew Kramer spoke to Corin Dann.
