Putin to expel 755 US diplomatic staff from Russia in retaliation over sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will expel 755 American diplomats in response to last week’s vote in Congress to expand sanctions.

Key points:

• Vladimir Putin tells Russian state media he will expel hundreds of American diplomats
• The decision was made after the US approved new sanctions on Russia
• Washington expelled 35 Russian diplomats in December 2016

Moscow ordered the United States to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff and said it would seize two US diplomatic properties after the US House of Representatives and the Senate approved new sanctions on Russia.

Mr Putin said in an interview with Vesti TV that 755 US diplomatic and technical staff would have to leave Russia by September 1.

“Because more than 1,000 workers — diplomats and support staff — were working and are still working in Russia, 755 must stop their activity in the Russian Federation,” he said.

New US sanctions were in part a response to conclusions by US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 US presidential election, and to further punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Source: Vladimir Putin to expel 755 US diplomatic staff from Russia in retaliation over sanctions – Donald Trump’s America – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)