Gabbard has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton once referred to her as a "Russian asset."

A buildup of Russian troops in Ukraine’s southeast comes as uncertainty looms over how a Trump presidency will affect the war.

Russia is open to negotiations on an end to the Ukraine war if initiated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, but any talks need to be based on the realities of Russian advances, Moscow's ambassador to the U.