US Diplomatic Mission Set to Cut Up to 300 Staff From Current 600-700 - Source

The United States Embassy in Moscow and consulates general are expected to cut up to 300 of their staff members from the current 600-700 people, an informed source told Sputnik on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Foreign Ministry suspended the use of all US Embassy warehouses and its compound in Moscow and also offered the US to cut down the number of its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people by September 1. Moreover, the ministry said that it reserves the reciprocal right to hit US interests in response to the US sanctions bill.

US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft has expressed his "strong disappointment and protest" over the countermeasures regarding a US diplomatic compound and US diplomats in Russia.

"There is currently 600-700 [personnel] now, and the cut will be very painful to them," the source said, pointing out that the reduction would affect 200-300 US staff members.

The US Senate approved a bill in a 98-2 vote on Thursday to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea and limit US President Donald Trump's ability to lift the restrictions on Moscow. The bill passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday by a vote of 419 to 3. The measures target Russia's defense, intelligence, mining, shipping and railway industries, and restrict dealings with Russian banks and energy companies.

The bill, which is yet to be approved by US President Donald Trump, has already prompted criticism within the European Union. France and Germany have so far spoken out against the bill that the US House passed overwhelmingly on Tuesday as one that adversely affects European industries while advancing US commercial interests.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is behaving patiently amid sanctions, but time will come when Moscow will be forced to respond to arrogance, adding that if adopted, the US anti-Russia sanctions bill would be an "extra-cynical move."