Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his American counterpart Rex Tillerson are expected to meet on the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN Regional Forum in the capital of Philippines, Manila.

"There were many meetings and phone talks between the representatives of the new American administration and the Russian government. Both sides talk about 'useful negotiations' and after that, relations get worse," Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of the Russia in Global Affairs magazine, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

Lukyanov said the atmosphere surrounding the bilateral relations was "terrible", in some ways "worse" than during the Cold War.

"In my opinion it happens because the degree of respect is much lower now. The U.S. does not respect Russia as much as they respected the USSR," he added.

Tension between Moscow and Washington went up a notch after U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed into law a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia for its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election, all the while voicing major objections to its provisions.

Russia, for its part, announced countermeasures, including cutting the total number of personnel employed in U.S. diplomatic and consular offices in Russia, and suspending the use of a summer residence in Moscow.