A bootin' by Putin
Russia orders 755 US diplo staffers out
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered 755 US diplomats to leave the country on Sunday in retaliation for Congress’ approving new sanctions for Moscow’s interference in the 2016 election.
“We waited for quite some time that maybe something will change for the better, had such hope that the situation will somehow change, but, judging by everything, if it changes, it will not be soon,” Putin said in an interview on state-run TV Sunday, according to the Interfax news agency.
Putin had signaled on Friday that he would expel hundreds of diplomats, as well as seize two US properties in Russia, after the Sen- ate and the House voted overwhelmingly for new sanctions against Moscow.
The diplomats have to leave Russia by Sept. 1.
“The personnel of the US diplomatic missions in Russia will be cut by 755 people and will now equal the number of the Russian diplomatic personnel in the United States — 455 people on each side,” Putin said.
He added that he was against imposing more measures against the US — at least “as of today.”
Earlier Sunday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said retaliation was “long, long overdue.”
“After the Senate . . . voted so overwhelmingly on a completely weird and unacceptable piece of legislation, it was the last drop,” he told ABC’s “This Week.”
Asked how Russia might retaliate, Ryabkov said it had options.
“We have a very rich toolbox at our disposal,” he said.
“I can assure you that different options are on the table and consideration is being given to all sorts of things.”
The Senate approved the sanctions by a 98-2 vote Thursday, two days after the House approved the measure 419-3.
The bill awaits President Trump’s signature. The White House said he “intends” to sign it.
A number of congressional panels, as well as special counsel Robert Mueller, are investigating Mos- cow’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Moscow is still fuming over former President Barack Obama’s decision in December to oust 35 diplomats and seize two Russian diplomatic compounds in Maryland and Long Island in retaliation for the interference in the election.
Still, Ryabkov said he hoped the Cold War foes could find common ground on other issues.
“I believe there are several areas where the US and Russia can and should work together cooperatively,” he said. “Nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, countering terrorism, illicit immigration, trafficking in people, climate change, you name it.”