A top Russian official has said Moscow and Washington have “almost solved” a row over two diplomatic compounds which were confiscated by U.S. authorities late last year, amid threats of retaliation.

Answering a question from reporters on whether the two sides had found a way to solve the dispute, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov responded: “Almost, almost.”

Ryabkov made the statement following a meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State Tom Shannon in Washington.

Shannon did not comment on how close the two sides were to a resolution.

In December last year, then-President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and their families from the U.S. and closed two diplomatic recreational compounds, known as “dachas” – one outside of Washington D.C., and the other outside New York City.