Washington regrets the decision to reduce staff of the diplomatic missions of the USA in Russia and believes such measures are unnecessary. On Monday, July 31, the state Department spokesman told RIA Novosti.
“This unwarranted measure is regrettable. We evaluate the impact of this reduction and how we will respond to it,” said the state Department.
Earlier on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the staff of the diplomatic missions of the USA will be reduced by 755 people. He also added that it makes sense to consider other restrictive measures.
July 28, the Russian foreign Ministry has offered up to September 1 to reduce to 455 people total number of staff employed in diplomatic missions of the United States in Russia. In addition, from 1 August the staff of the American Embassy in Moscow forbidden to use the dacha in Serebryany Bor, as well as warehouses on Road street in the capital.
“In the case of a new unilateral actions of the us authorities to reduce the number of our diplomats in the U.S. this will be followed by a mirror response”, — reads the statement of the Russian authorities.
27 July the us Senate passed a bill on sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. The draft law sent for signature to President Donald Trump.
The bill provides for several limitations. In particular, it is proposed to reduce to 14 days the maximum period of funding of banks, which are under sanctions, and 30 days — for oil and gas companies. It is also assumed that the US President may take action against companies who intend to invest in the construction of the export pipeline more than five million dollars a year or a million at a time. In addition, the document specifically mentions the desire of the United States to oppose construction of the pipeline “Nord stream-2”.