Vladimir Putin
President Vladimir Putin congratulated us counterpart Barack Obama on the upcoming holidays, despite his decision to expel from the United States to Russian diplomats. This was reported on the Kremlin website on Friday, December 30.
“It is a pity that the administration of President Barack Obama completes his work in a similar way, but nevertheless I congratulate him and his family members a happy New year”, — reads the statement of the head of state.
The Russian leader also expressed congratulations and wished prosperity to the President-elect of the United States Donald Trump.
In addition, Putin said that Moscow considers the last actions of the outgoing US administration as unfriendly and provocative steps to undermine the future of Russian-American relations, it was reported earlier on Friday. Russia has reason to retaliate, but to do it it will not. Thus the head of state rejected the proposal of the Russian foreign Ministry to expel U.S. diplomats in response to Washington’s actions.
It was about the possible expulsion of the country’s 31 employee of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and four employees of the Consulate General in St. Petersburg, said earlier Friday, foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In addition, it was proposed to prohibit us diplomats to use the dacha in Serebryany Bor, and a warehouse on the street Road.
The day before the US authorities took the decision within 72 hours 35 to expel Russian diplomats, as well as close access to two objects used by them. The White house claim that such measures were “a response to harassment of American diplomats in Moscow from the Russian authorities.”