Russian Ambassador to the US: "US Urges 24 Russian Diplomats to Leave by Next Month 3"

"Make Visa Issuance Procedures More Stringent"
U.S. State Department: "Apply for Extension When Visa Expires"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian ambassador to the United States sharply criticized the U.S. government, saying that 24 Russian diplomats are effectively being expelled due to pressure from the U.S. government. The U.S. State Department immediately issued a rebuttal statement, escalating the diplomatic dispute between the two countries. This is seen as a retaliatory sanction in response to the Russian government's mass dismissal of local staff working at U.S. diplomatic facilities in Russia.

On the 2nd (local time), Anatoly Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the U.S., said in an interview with the U.S. diplomatic media outlet National Interest, "The U.S. suddenly tightened the visa issuance procedures, putting 24 Russian diplomats in a situation where they must leave by July 3 without replacements," adding, "Since December last year, the U.S. government has limited the visa validity period for Russian diplomats to three years, and as far as we know, Russia is the only country with a visa validity period of three years."

The U.S. State Department promptly issued a rebuttal statement following the report. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said, "Ambassador Antonov's remarks are inaccurate," and claimed, "The Russian side was already aware of the visa expiration period and can freely apply for extensions of their stay."

He further suggested that this measure could be a retaliatory response to Russia's dismissal of local staff working at U.S. diplomatic facilities. Spokesperson Price emphasized, "We have the right to take appropriate countermeasures against Russia's actions," adding, "Such measures negatively affect the U.S. mission, potentially harming diplomatic capabilities with the Russian government as well as the safety and security of our personnel."

Earlier, on the 1st, Russia enforced employment restrictions on personnel holding Russian or third-country nationality, resulting in the dismissal of 182 local staff working at U.S. diplomatic facilities in Russia. Consequently, retaliatory measures from the U.S. government had been anticipated.

Relations between the two countries seemed to improve after U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in June, with both countries reinstating ambassadors who had been recalled to their home countries. However, it is now reported that relations are deteriorating again.

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