The United States said today that 11 alleged Russian agents arrested this week were "vestiges" of "old attempts to use intelligence," but the relationship between the two Cold War foes was still improving.

"We're moving towards a more trusting relationship. We're beyond the Cold War; our relations absolutely demonstrate that," said Phil Gordon, the assistant secretary of state for European Affairs.

"But I don't think anyone was hugely shocked to know that some vestiges of old attempts to use intelligence are still there."

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