TheCable

Russia has asked the US to reduce its diplomatic staff by September 1 and has said it is seizing a dacha compound and warehouse used by US diplomats in retaliation to new sanctions.

The announcement, outlined in a statement from the foreign ministry, came a day after the US senate voted to slap new sanctions on Russia.

Russia’s foreign ministry also warned the US that it would respond in kind if Washington decided to expel any Russian diplomats.

The order to US to cut diplomatic missions in Russia and compound suspension are just the first steps, other retaliatory measures will be taken following the adoption of the new anti-Russia sanctions, Frants Klintsevich, a lawmaker said.

Klintsevich, the first deputy chairman of the Russian federation council committee on defence and security, said Friday that “these are just the first steps, without any doubt, other will be made”.

The lawmaker added that a whole range of political measures may be adopted in the future, including an entry ban for those who voted in favour of anti-Russia sanctions in the US congress and senate.

“Political measures will be continued, there may be a ban on entry for congressmen and senators. There may be unexpected things in this set [of measures],” Klintsevich said.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry has said the new sanctions aim to create unfair competitive advantages for the US in the global economy.

The US senate had approved a bill in a 98 to two vote on Thursday to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea and limit President Donald Trump’s ability to lift the restrictions on Moscow.