This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/28/russia-cuts-us-diplomatic-presence-retaliation-sanctions
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Russia cuts US diplomatic presence in retaliation for sanctions | Russia cuts US diplomatic presence in retaliation for sanctions |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Russia’s foreign ministry has ordered a reduction in the US diplomatic presence in the country and seized a US embassy dacha in retaliation for a wave of sanctions approved by Congress this week. | Russia’s foreign ministry has ordered a reduction in the US diplomatic presence in the country and seized a US embassy dacha in retaliation for a wave of sanctions approved by Congress this week. |
| The US ambassador to Russia, John Tefft, was summoned to the foreign ministry on Friday morning to be given the news. A statement posted on the ministry’s website said the number of diplomatic and technical personnel across US diplomatic missions in Russia should not exceed 455. | The US ambassador to Russia, John Tefft, was summoned to the foreign ministry on Friday morning to be given the news. A statement posted on the ministry’s website said the number of diplomatic and technical personnel across US diplomatic missions in Russia should not exceed 455. |
| The ministry said the figure was equivalent to the number of Russian diplomatic staff accredited for work in the US. | The ministry said the figure was equivalent to the number of Russian diplomatic staff accredited for work in the US. |
| It was not immediately clear how many US diplomats and other workers would be forced to leave the country, or whether the figure of 455 included Russian staff of US diplomatic missions. It is believed there are over 1,000 staff at the US embassy in Moscow and three consulates across the country, and an unnamed source told the Russian agency Interfax that “hundreds” of employees would have to either return to the US or leave their posts. | |
| A spokesperson for the embassy declined to comment on numbers, saying only: “We have received the Russian government notification. Ambassador Tefft expressed his strong disappointment and protest. We have passed the notification back to Washington for review.” | |
| The foreign ministry said it would also close down the embassy dacha on the outskirts of Moscow and rescind access to warehouse space. The restrictions on the properties go into force from 1 August, while the reduction in diplomatic presence is to take place by 1 September, the Russians said. | |
| Before leaving office, Barack Obama ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and the seizure of two Russian diplomatic compounds in retaliation for Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. Moscow made the unusual move of not responding reciprocally, allegedly after being given assurances that the incoming Trump administration would reverse the move. | Before leaving office, Barack Obama ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and the seizure of two Russian diplomatic compounds in retaliation for Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. Moscow made the unusual move of not responding reciprocally, allegedly after being given assurances that the incoming Trump administration would reverse the move. |
| However, this has not happened, and as the Trump administration remains embroiled in a scandal over links with Russia, the political consensus backing further sanctions against Moscow has solidified, with the House of Representatives and the Senate overwhelmingly passing a bill that targets Russia, North Korea and Iran. | However, this has not happened, and as the Trump administration remains embroiled in a scandal over links with Russia, the political consensus backing further sanctions against Moscow has solidified, with the House of Representatives and the Senate overwhelmingly passing a bill that targets Russia, North Korea and Iran. |
| On Thursday, Vladimir Putin said a Russian response to the new wave of sanctions was inevitable. “We are behaving in a very restrained and patient way, but at some moment we will need to respond ... It’s impossible to endlessly tolerate this kind of insolence towards our country.” | |
| Friday’s Russian statement said the US actions “once again showed the aggressive foreign policy of the United States” that “arrogantly ignores the positions and interests of other states”. The ministry said US elites were gripped by “Russophobia” and claimed Russia had behaved “responsibly and with restraint”. | |
| The ministry said if the US side set out any further sanctions against Russia, they would be met with a symmetrical response. | |
| Donald Trump still has to sign the sanctions into law, and with the Russian measures only coming into effect on 1 September, there is a chance they could be rescinded if Trump does not sign. However, the US president is under considerable pressure to appear tough on Russia given the scandals over Russian interference in the election and alleged collusion between the Russians and members of his team. | |
| Putin and Russian officials have repeatedly denied any meddling in the US election, while US intelligence agencies say they have overwhelming evidence of a coordinated Russian campaign. | Putin and Russian officials have repeatedly denied any meddling in the US election, while US intelligence agencies say they have overwhelming evidence of a coordinated Russian campaign. |