HomeNewsPoliticsThe US and Russia collide over embassy staffing despite talks

The US and Russia collide over embassy staffing despite talks

Published on

Despite recent talks aimed at bringing more stability to a tumultuous relationship, the US and Russia clashed Monday over embassy staffing.

Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador in Washington, condemned “expulsions” of Moscow’s diplomats in an interview, saying the US had become “persistent and creative in this business” by limiting Russians to three-year visas.

“We received a list of 24 diplomats who are expected to leave the country before September 3, 2021. Almost all of them will leave without replacements because Washington has abruptly tightened visa-issuing procedures,” he told US monthly international affairs magazine The National Interest.

According to State Department spokesman Ned Price, the ambassador’s remarks were “inaccurate,” because the Russians were aware that their visas would expire after three years and that they were free to apply for extensions.

He did, however, reiterate a complaint that Moscow had forced Washington to lay off nearly 200 locals at US diplomatic missions in Russia as of Sunday due to a new ban on hiring Russian or third-country personnel.

“It is unfortunate because these measures have a negative impact on the US Mission to Russia’s operation, potentially on the safety and security of our personnel, as well as our ability to engage in diplomacy with the Russian government,” Price told reporters.

“I will say that we reserve the right to take appropriate response measures to Russia’s actions,” he said, while denying that the three-year validity of visas was linked.

However, on April 15, President Joe Biden’s administration expelled 10 Russian diplomats over what Washington claimed was Russian election interference and a cyberattack.

Price described past actions as a “response to the Russian government’s harmful actions” but said the United States valued “open channels of communication.”

In June, Biden met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva, and both leaders described the meeting as business-like, despite the two countries’ wide range of differences.

Senior officials met again last week in Geneva to discuss arms control, as part of a new dialogue established by Putin and Biden to encourage more predictability in relations.

Source: AFP

Photo by Peter Klaunzer – Pool/Keystone via Getty Images

Latest articles

‘Strong Evidence’: Low on This Vitamin Can Cut Several Years Off Life

The crucial vitamin for life and “the take-home message here is simple – the...

Goodbye to Gym? This Pill Mimics the Benefits of Exercise – Says New Study

Doctors have recommended exercise for years as a way to improve and maintain health....

Are Vitamin D Supplements a Placebo? Study Suggests Limited Benefits for Common Health Issues

Are You Wasting Money on Vitamin D Supplements? New Findings Challenge Widely Held Beliefs...

Expert Reveals ‘a Real Surprise Drink’ that You Thought ‘HEALTHY’ May Be Making Your Skin Older

It may be one of the primary causes of premature ageing, according to the...

More like this

‘Strong Evidence’: Low on This Vitamin Can Cut Several Years Off Life

The crucial vitamin for life and “the take-home message here is simple – the...

Goodbye to Gym? This Pill Mimics the Benefits of Exercise – Says New Study

Doctors have recommended exercise for years as a way to improve and maintain health....

Are Vitamin D Supplements a Placebo? Study Suggests Limited Benefits for Common Health Issues

Are You Wasting Money on Vitamin D Supplements? New Findings Challenge Widely Held Beliefs...