Russian Embassy: 'If the US had not provoked first, Russia would not have retaliated'

(Baonghean.vn) - The Russian Embassy in the US said at a regular press conference on August 9 that Russia would have no reason to retaliate against the US if the US did not introduce sanctions against Russia and did not unreasonably expel Russian diplomats.

Russian Embassy in the United States. Photo EPA

When the reporter recalled the words of US State Department representative Heather Nauert that Moscow's decision to cut the number of staff at the US embassy in Moscow was "regrettable".

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

"The confiscated properties have not been returned. Washington not only did not cancel the decision to expel our diplomatic staff, but also refused to issue visas to new people sent to replace them," the ambassador added.

The Russian Embassy added that Russia always supports improving bilateral relations between Russia and the US and expanding the search for areas of cooperation. However, this should not be done through pressure, but based on mutual interests and respect.

It is worth recalling that Russia chose not to react in the classic “like me, like you” fashion when former President Barack Obama decided to expel 35 Russian diplomats in December 2016, and almost confiscated two Russian-owned facilities in the US.

However, after the US Congress passed a new law tightening and expanding the scope of sanctions against Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry immediately expressed its stance, first of all demanding that the US reduce the number of US diplomatic and technical staff in Russia to 455 - equal to the number of Russian diplomatic and technical staff in the US and also close two US facilities in Russia.

Earlier, at a talk with reporters in Manila, Philippines at an event aimed at ASEAN activities, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced that starting September 1, Washington will respond to the expulsion and reduction of the number of US diplomatic staff in Russia.

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(According to TASS)