Russia retaliating against US sanctions bill

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Moscow announced on Friday counter-measures against a U.S. sanctions bill on Russia, the Foreign Ministry said.

A ministry statement set a Sept. 1 deadline to “bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff working at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, and in the consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, into compliance with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff in the U.S."

Russia's move came a day after the U.S. Senate approved new sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The bill next will be sent to the desk of President Donald Trump, who has hinted he may veto it, but the bill passed with a veto-proof majority.

The ministry said the total number of personnel employed in U.S. diplomatic and consular offices in Russia will be reduced to 455 people.

It also suspended as of Aug. 1 the U.S. use of a summer residence in Moscow’s Serebryany Bor and storage facilities on Dorozhnaya Street.

"We reserve the right to reciprocity and other measures that may affect the interests of the U.S.," it added.