Russia Seizes US Properties Over Sanctions, Orders Cuts to Embassy Staff
(CN) – Russia seized two diplomatic properties on Friday and ordered the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to cut its staff by September in retaliation for pending new American sanctions over the Kremlin’s alleged meddling in the 2016 election and its invasion of Ukraine.
As recently as Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had maintained in an interview in Finland that he was still hoping for better relations with the U.S. under President Donald Trump. But the U.S. Senate’s approval of expanded economic sanctions against Russia on Thursday changed that calculus.
The bill, which also imposes new sanctions against Iran and North Korea, is similar to a bill overwhelmingly passed by the House earlier this week. It now goes to the White House for President Trump’s signature.
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