Moscow accuses US of breaking the lock of Russian consulate general, threatens retaliation

Russia accused US officials of "breaking into" the residential area at its consulate general in San Francisco and threatened retaliation.

US authorities took control of the administrative areas of the Russian consulate general in San Francisco, California, after pThe diplomatic corps left last month at the behest of the Trump administration.

However, on October 2, they entered the residential area that Russian staff had locked, Reuters quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on October 3.The deadline for Russia to withdraw from the settlement is October 1.

"Despite repeated warnings, the US authorities have not listened to the voice of reason and have not abandoned their illegal intentions," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry said the US authorities had "completely" occupied the consulate general and the administrative building, which it said was "a violation of international law."

Russia has said it reserves the right to take retaliatory action against the US, although it has not specified what the retaliatory measures might be.

President Vladimir Putin last month accused Washington of “rude” treatment of the Russian diplomatic mission in the United States. He asked the State Department to sue the United States for allegedly violating Russian property rights.

The tit-for-tat began late last year when former President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats over alleged interference in the US presidential election. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations as the US investigation has widened.

In July,Moscowasked the US to cut 60% of the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in Russia to 455.In response, Washington demanded in AugustMoscowclosing the consulate general in San Francisco and two other buildings in Washington DC and New York.

According to VNE