MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Embassy in London is losing its staff because people have problems getting visas to come to the United Kingdom, Russian Ambassador to the country Alexander Yakovenko said.
"The embassy is shrinking and if it continues the embassy will be reduced further. People cannot be replaced because the visas are not being issued," Yakovenko was quoted as saying by the BBC.
He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved under the current UK government.
"Here in London, we simply do not understand the strategy of this country on visa issues," Yakovenko said.
Since 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union, including the United Kingdom, deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions on the pretext of Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, which the Kremlin has denied.
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