U.S. declares 35 Russian diplomats persona non grata

The U.S. Department of State said this in a press release issued on December 29, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The State Department today declared persona non grata 35 Russian officials operating in the United States who were acting in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic or consular status. The Department also informed the Russian Government that it would deny Russian personnel access to two recreational compounds in the United States owned by the Russian Government.

The U.S. Department informs it took these actions as part of a comprehensive response to Russia’s interference in the U.S. election, as well harassment of U.S. diplomats abroad that has increased over the last four years, especially in the last 12 months.

“This harassment has involved arbitrary police stops, physical assault, and the broadcast on State TV of personal details about our personnel that put them at risk,” reads a statement.

In addition, the U.S. Department stresses that the Russian Government has impeded U.S. diplomatic operations by, among other actions: forcing the closure of 28 American corners which hosted cultural programs and English-language teaching; blocking U.S. efforts to begin the construction of a new, safer facility for our Consulate General in St. Petersburg; and rejecting requests to improve perimeter security at the current, outdated facility in St. Petersburg.

“Today’s actions send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable and will have consequences,” stressed the U.S. Department of State.

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