PUTIN ASKS USA TO REMOVE 755 DIPLOMATIC STAFF IN RUSSIA

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded the United States cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755 people, underlining his displeasure with US sanctions and heightening tensions between Washington and Moscow.

The US state department called Putin’s move “a regrettable and uncalled-for act.”

Putin’s announcement on Sunday came three days after the US Congress approved sanctions against Russia and just hours after US Vice President Mike Pence landed in Estonia, which borders Russia, for talks with the country that holds the rotating European Union presidency.

Russian’s Foreign Ministry on Friday ordered a reduction by Sept 1 in U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia to 455 people in response to a new package of American sanctions. The White House says President Donald Trump will sign those sanctions into law. The sanctions, which also target Iran and North Korea, seek to punish Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria.

“We had hoped that the situation will somehow change, but apparently if it changes, it won’t be soon,” Putin told Rossiya 1, explaining why Moscow decided to retaliate. “I thought it was the time to show that we’re not going to leave it without an answer.” Russia is open to cooperating with the US on various issues, including terrorism and cybercrime, but instead it “only hears unfounded accusations,” he said.