MOSCOW: Diplomatic relations between both the United States and Russia suffered a setback after the Kremlin urged Washington to bring forth any evidence that Moscow was involved in influencing the US Presidential elections 2016 via hacking.

Russia gave a stern reply to Obama's accusations by stating that the USA should bring forth evidence that Moscow was involved in leaking private emails of Hillary Clinton's campaign manager and the Democratic National Committee, which could have caused the Democrat to lose the election to business tycoon Donald Trump. Russia told the USA curtly to bring forth evidence or stay silent on the matter.

"Our goal continues to be to send a clear message to Russia or others not to do this to us because we can do stuff to you," the US president told a year-end press conference on Friday, at which he went the furthest yet towards pinning direct blame for the hacks on Putin.

"Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin," Obama said. "I mean, this is a pretty hierarchical operation last I checked, there´s not a lot of debate and democratic deliberation, particularly when it comes to policies directed at the United States."

US President-elect Donald J. Trump has dismissed the allegations, which have found credence after both CIA and FBI seemed to be on the same page as far as allegations of Russia being involved in the hacks were concerned.