Russian Diplomat: ‘We

A top diplomat in the Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed John McCain’s threat to exclude the county from the Group of Eight for failing to live of to democratic standards, saying Tuesday that Russia is simply “not interested” in what Republican presidential candidate says during the course the campaign.

“We’re not interested in what McCain has to say,” the diplomat said. “Let him first become the U.S. president, and then we will listen attentively to him.”

“We want the American electorate to answer for the choice it will make,” the diplomat said, adding that the U.S. is “on the verge of an existential crisis.”

The diplomat made the remarks during a news briefing in Moscow on the condition of anonymity, according to wire reports.

McCain has repeatedly suggested that Russia not attend future G8 meetings because of what Arizona senator calls the country’s failure to produce “free and open economies, free and open societies, and free and fair elections.”

“We need to improve their behavior,” McCain said, defending his stance in an interview Sunday on ABC. “And I will do what I can to see that they reverse many of the behaviour patterns which have really been very unhelpful to peace in the world.”

Barack Obama has said he opposes excluding Russia from future G8 meetings, saying the move would be “a mistake.”