Moscow - Saba:
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced that the Russian Federation will try to return its diplomatic assets in the United States under US President Donald Trump.
Sputnik quoted Ryabkov as saying to the Izvestia newspaper, in response to a question about whether the return of Russian diplomatic assets in the United States was under discussion: "Yes, of course. This is one of the main issues," he noted, noting that Russia's goal is to try to return its diplomatic assets during the presidency of Donald Trump. Ryabkov added, "This is our mission. We will seek to find a solution."
In late 2016, the administration of former US President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on nine Russian institutions, companies, and individuals for "election interference" and "pressure on US diplomats." The United States also closed two residential compounds owned by Russian diplomats in Washington and New York and declared 35 Russian diplomats in the United States "persona non grata."
In August 2017, US authorities demanded the closure of the Russian consulate in San Francisco and two Russian trade mission buildings in Washington and New York, citing a proposal to reduce the number of US diplomatic staff in Russia.
In response, Moscow described Washington's actions as "the seizure of Russian diplomatic property by assailants."
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