Putin orders suit against US over seizure of Russian embassy property

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his Foreign Ministry to sue the US government over the seizure of Russian diplomatic property in the US, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

Putin also said Moscow reserved the right to further cut the number of US diplomatic staff in response to what he called Washington’s “boorish” treatment of Russia’s diplomatic mission on US soil that took place last week.

Speaking after US officials ordered Russia to vacate diplomatic premises in several US cities, Putin said: “That the Americans reduced the number of our diplomatic facilities - this is their right...The only thing is that it was done in such a clearly boorish manner.”

“That does not reflect well on our American partners. But it’s difficult to conduct a dialogue with people who confuse Austria and Australia. Probably such is the level of political culture of a certain part of the US establishment.”

“As for our buildings and facilities, this is an unprecedented thing,” Putin said. “This is a clear violation of Russia’s property rights. Therefore, for a start, I will order the foreign ministry to go to court - and let’s see just how efficient the muchpraised US judiciary is.”

Putin dismissed a question whether he was disappointed in Trump. Trump is “not my bride, and I’m not his groom,” he said. He also brushed aside a question on possible impeachment of Trump. AGENCIES