A Russian diplomat has reportedly struggled in recent weeks to set up meetings with a plethora of U.S. lawmakers in the face of heightened tensions between the two countries.

Politico reported Thursday that Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov reached out earlier this month to Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate GOP divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Utah) to ask for his assistance in developing contacts in the U.S. government.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I would be very grateful for your advice on how to develop contacts with members of U.S. Congress, departments and agencies, as well as for your possible assistance in setting up such meetings,” he wrote.

Hatch and a few other GOP senators, including Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (Ky.), Ron Johnson Ronald (Ron) Harold JohnsonThis week: Supreme Court fight over Ginsburg's seat upends Congress's agenda GOP set to release controversial Biden report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE (Wis.) and Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (Tenn.), have met with Antonov. However, he has struggled to gain traction with numerous others amid a diplomatic standoff between Russia and the U.S.

Politico reported that Vice President Pence, White House chief of staff John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE, Attorney General Jeff Sessions Jefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsGOP set to release controversial Biden report Trump's policies on refugees are as simple as ABCs Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez call for convention to decide Puerto Rico status MORE and the leaders of both parties in the House and Senate have not responded to Antonov’s requests for a meeting.

U.S. lawmakers have taken a rigid stance against Russia in the wake of intelligence community findings that the Russians engineered an influence campaign during the 2016 presidential race. Intelligence officials have warned the country will likely do the same during the midterm elections later this year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. agreed with findings that Russia was most likely responsible for the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with a military-grade nerve agent outside their home in Salisbury, England.

In response, President Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE moved to expel 60 Russian officials from the U.S., as part of a coordinated effort with other countries to punish Moscow for the poisoning.

Moscow has denied its involvement in the poisoning and vowed to remove a number of diplomats from the U.S. and other foreign countries.