Russia: Spy scandal should not hurt ties with US

Russia's Foreign Ministry says Moscow expects that a spy scandal won't hurt Russian-U.S. relations. The ministry said today that it agrees with White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, who said the arrests of 11 alleged spies for Russia won't affect ties.

Russia's Foreign Ministry says Moscow expects that a spy scandal won't hurt Russian-U.S. relations. The ministry said on Wednesday that it agrees with White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, who said the arrests of 11 alleged spies for Russia won't affect ties.

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On Tuesday, the ministry admitted some of the suspected spies arrested in the United States are Russian citizens, but claimed they did nothing to hurt U.S. interests. It said Russia is counting on the U.S. "to show proper understanding" taking into account the positive current ties between Moscow and Washington.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin delivered the same positive message on Tuesday during a meeting with former President Bill Clinton.