This file photo taken on Jan 30, 2020 shows US ambassador to Russia John Sullivan in Moscow, Russia. (ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO / AP)

MOSCOW - US ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said on Tuesday he would travel to the United States this week for consultations, four days after the Kremlin suggested that Washington recall him amid a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

I believe it is important for me to speak directly with my new colleagues in the Biden administration in Washington about the current state of bilateral relations between the United States and Russia.

John Sullivan, US ambassador to Russia

Russia recalled its own ambassador to Washington last month after US President Joe Biden said he thought his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was a "killer", and the two countries imposed new sanctions on each other last week.

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"I believe it is important for me to speak directly with my new colleagues in the Biden administration in Washington about the current state of bilateral relations between the United States and Russia," Sullivan said in a statement on the website of the US embassy.

But he said he would return to Moscow in the coming weeks "before any meeting between Presidents Biden and Putin."

Despite the dire state of relations, the Kremlin has not ruled out Biden's proposal for a summit between the two leaders in Europe. Putin will also deliver a speech on Thursday at an online climate summit hosted by Biden.

READ MORE: Kremlin says Putin-Biden summit depends on US behavior

Last Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions against Russia and expelled 10 diplomats in response to Moscow's alleged election interference and cyber activities. 

Moscow retaliated by expelling 10 US diplomats and barring entry of eight US figures, among other restrictions.