Kemlin’s recent change in rhetoric follows President Joe Biden’s approval for Ukraine to utilize American-supplied weapons against Russian targets.

The Kremlin has officially labeled the United States as an “enemy” state for the first time, reflecting the deteriorating relations between Moscow and Washington. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated, “We are now an enemy country for them, just as they are for us.” The designation of the US as an enemy state by Russia is a first in their diplomatic history. According to Agentstvo, a reputable Russian investigative website, neither Peskov nor Putin have ever referred to the United States or other “unfriendly” countries as Russia’s enemies.

This decision comes in response to recent events, including the prevention of former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter from traveling to Russia. Ritter’s passport was confiscated by US border officials as he attempted to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, leading to further complications in US-Russia relations.

Ritter shared his experience with TASS, a Russian news agency, describing how he was removed from his flight and barred from continuing his journey. He claimed that authorities provided no rationale for blocking him from flying, adding they were complying with orders from the US State Department.

Peskov addressed this incident during the briefing, attributing it to “the latest manifestation of the rabid campaign” aimed at hindering Americans from engaging with Russia. He suggested that the move could be understandable only if it related to Ritter’s former intelligence role.

Speaking to Newsweek, a State Department spokesperson stated that they cannot share information on the passport status of individual US residents without their permission.

“There are situations where a U.S. passport may be revoked.  These include, but are not limited to, laws and regulations affecting passport usage by individuals with active warrants or criminal records, fraud concerns, tax debt, and child support arrears,” the spokesperson said.

Why this sudden change in Kremlin’s attitude?

The Kremlin’s recent change in rhetoric follows President Joe Biden’s approval for Ukraine to utilize American-supplied weapons against Russian targets. Last week, the Biden administration stated that it worked at “lightning speed” to allow Kyiv to use its weapon to strike particular targets within Russia.

Previously, the Kremlin labeled the US and its Western allies supporting and arming Ukraine, while imposing sanctions on Russia, as ‘unfriendly states’ or ‘opponents.’ In March, Peskov voiced Russia’s disapproval of US politicians disrespecting Putin but clarified that Moscow does not harbor anti-American sentiments. He expressed hope for a future realization that the American and Russian peoples are not adversaries. In contrast, Putin in January branded Western elites as Russia’s true enemies, depicting Ukraine as a pawn in their hands.