Russia May Demand Further Reduction of US Diplomatic Staff

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow is considering various options for responding to the seizure of Russian diplomatic property in California by the United States and has not ruled out that it will demand real parity in the number of US and Russian diplomats.


A senior Russian diplomat stated that Moscow may demand real parity in the number of US and Russian diplomats, which would entail a US diplomatic mission staff cut to 300 people or less, Sputnik reported.

"As for the response, we've said, including in public, that in diplomacy there is an inviolable principle of reciprocity, and Americans know this very well. If they behaved in this way, it means they agree that we can act in kind with their foreign institutions in Russia. With regards to specific measures, we will consider them, and if necessary, they will be applied,” Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North America Department Georgiy Borisenko said in an exclusive interview.

Moscow has not abandoned its intention to file a lawsuit with a the US court over the situation around the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North America Department Georgiy Borisenko said.
 (Tasnim)
  11/10/17