"We can avoid further retaliatory actions by both sides and move forward to achieve the improved relations between our two countries and increased cooperation on areas of mutual concern," embassy spokeswoman Maria Olsen told RIA Novosti.
On September 2, the United States shut down Russia's Consulate General in San Francisco and trade missions in New York City and in Washington, DC. US officials said the move was in response to Moscow's decision in late July to reduce the number of US diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people, the same number of diplomatic personnel Russia has in the United States. In December 2016 the outgoing Obama administration expelled 35 Russian diplomats and suspended the use of diplomatic assets by Moscow.
