The working of the Russian embassy in Washington has been "blockaded," with its bank accounts closed and staff receiving threats, state news agency RIA cited ambassador Anatoly Antonov as saying on Sunday.

"The embassy is in essence blockaded by U.S. government entities. Accounts of our two consulates in Houston and New York have been closed by Bank of America," Antonov was quoted as saying. "We receive threats both by phone and letters come ... At some point even the exit from the embassy was blocked."