US move to search Russia's consulate creates 'direct threat to Russian citizens': Russian FM

The US security services intend to conduct a search at Russia's Consulate General in San Francisco on Saturday, which is a defiant move that creates a direct threat to the safety of Russian citizens and worsens the already difficult bilateral dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.


The United States has ordered Russia to close its consulate in San Francisco, the US State Department said Thursday, in response to Moscow's demand that the size of US diplomatic staff in Russia be reduced.

The diplomatic row came at a low point of bilateral relationship between Washington and Moscow, as the two sides hold differences on a range of issues, including the war in Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, and US accusations that the Kremlin meddled in the 2016 US presidential elections, a charge Russia strongly denies.
 [globaltimes.cn/Xinhua]
 2/9/17
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