The Russian-US presidential commission that facilitated cooperation between the two countries has been dismantled as part of the US sanctions regime introduced against Moscow.

      Set up in the framework of the reset policy, the commission was believed to be a key force behind many breakthrough steps. The commission coordinated the joint work of 20 subcommittees on a broad spectrum of issues.

      The Kremlin said it was disappointed to see it happen but would not appeal to the US administration to resume its operation.

      Russia has sparked a wave of criticism after it incorporated Crimea into its territory following a referendum on the peninsula with a large ethnic Russian population.

      The US and the EU imposed a raft of sanctions on Russian officials and individuals with close ties to the Kremlin.

      The US also put space and military cooperation on hold, followed by some of its NATO allies, including the UK.