Washington-Sana
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, announced today that Washington has asked 24 Russian diplomats whose visas expire on the third of next September.
Antonov told the National Interest magazine: “We have received a list of 24 diplomats who are expected to leave the country until the third of next month without the presence of replacements because Washington has suddenly tightened the procedures for issuing visas,” expressing his hope that “common sense prevails in relations and that there will be the ability to normalize life.” Russian and American diplomats in the United States and Russia on the basis of the principle of reciprocity.”
"Unfortunately, the situation is not changing for the better," Antonov added. "The Russian diplomatic missions in the United States are still forced to work under unprecedented restrictions that not only remain in place, but are escalated regardless of the Biden administration's statements regarding the important role of diplomacy and readiness to develop stable relations with the United States." The Russian side is predictable with our country,” noting that the Russian diplomatic presence in America “is facing constant blows.”
Antonov's comments come about six weeks after a summit meeting between US Presidents Joe Biden and Russian Vladimir Putin in Geneva, during which they agreed to return their ambassadors to Moscow and Washington.
Antonov had returned to the United States last June, based on the agreement of Putin and Biden, after he was summoned from Moscow last April, amid diplomatic tensions due to these American measures.
On the other hand, Antonov announced that he is counting on a comprehensive nature of future consultations between Moscow and Washington on cybersecurity and that such a dialogue may include the impact of cyber threats on arms control systems. American counterparts prefer to focus discussions primarily on extortion, even though cybersecurity is much broader.”
Antonov had announced on the 28th of last July that Russian and American experts had started active contacts on cybersecurity issues, indicating that Moscow hopes for a comprehensive approach to this problem.