Russian Embassy: 'If the US hadn't provoked first, Russia wouldn't have retaliated.'

(Baonghean.vn) - The Russian Embassy in the US stated at its regular press briefing on August 9th that Russia would have no pretext to retaliate against the US if the US did not impose sanctions on Russia and did not unjustifiably expel Russian diplomats.

The Russian Embassy in the United States. Photo: EPA

When reporters reiterated the words of U.S. State Department representative Heather Nauert that Moscow's decision to reduce the number of staff at the U.S. embassy in Moscow was "regrettable."

Russia's acting representative in Washington, Denis Gonchar, countered: "If the expulsion of Russian diplomats and the closure of two Russian facilities in New York and Maryland had not occurred, Russia would not have made these decisions. The 'exchange of blows' is not an option for Russia."

"The seized properties have not yet been returned. Washington not only failed to reverse its decision to expel our diplomatic staff, but also refused to grant visas to those sent to replace them," the ambassador further explained.

The Russian embassy added that Russia has always supported improving bilateral relations between Russia and the United States and expanding areas for cooperation. However, this should not be achieved through pressure, but rather based on mutual interests and respect.

It should be recalled that Russia chose not to react in the classic "like them, so we do" manner when former President Barack Obama decided to expel 35 Russian diplomats in December 2016 and nearly seize two Russian-owned facilities in the United States.

However, after both houses of the US Congress passed new legislation tightening and expanding sanctions against Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry immediately expressed its stance, first by demanding that the US reduce the number of American diplomatic and technical personnel in Russia to 455 – the same number as Russian diplomatic and technical personnel in the US – and also close two American facilities in Russia.

Earlier, during a press briefing in Manila, Philippines, at an event focused on ASEAN activities, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced that, starting September 1st, Washington would retaliate against the expulsion and reduction of US diplomatic staff in Russia.

US Russia

(According to TASS)