Moscow is willing to work professionally with Washington on a prospective prisoner swap provided the US abandons its speculative rhetoric on the subject, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a Russian TV show on Sunday.

"Everything is ready for it from the Russian side. But if the US continues to indulge in this horrible political intrigue and squabble, then let the US citizens know their heroes," Zakharova said.    

She reaffirmed that Russia was ready to begin a professional discourse with the US and take appropriate actions if competent US officials were involved. "It is not a job that is done in front of a microphone," Zakharova added. 

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Moscow hopes that the United States understands that relations between the two countries can be forgotten if US Congress declares Russia a "state sponsor of terrorism," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.    

"If they have not forgotten everything yet, then they probably understand. We have talked about this and not only orally. We have also posted these comments in writing and even translated them into English. Everything has been repeatedly stated,” Zakharova told a Russian TV show when asked whether Washington understands that "relations can be forgotten" in the event of such a step.

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On another note, Amnesty International intends to invite independent experts to recheck its own report on the crimes committed by soldiers in the Ukrainian armed forces, as its findings do not suit the authorities in Kiev, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.

"Because the result should be different. The one that suits the mainstream. Facts don't matter. Since they said the Kiev regime does not shoot at civilians, it means that it does not shoot. [It is an] anti-scientific approach," Zakharova said on Telegram.