Russia will not expel diplomats in response to actions of the United States – RIA Novosti

15:2430.12.2016

(updated: 16:47 30.12.2016)

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MOSCOW, 29 Dec — RIA Novosti. the President of Russia Vladimir Putin said that Moscow will not send American diplomats in response to Washington’s actions.

At this he stressed that according to established international practice, Russia has all grounds for an adequate response. Moscow reserves right to retaliate, but would not stoop to the level of “cooking” diplomacy, said the head of state.

Putin has characterized the hostile actions of the Obama administration as “provocative, aimed at undermining the future of Russian-American relations”.

“This is clearly contrary to the fundamental interests of both the Russian and American people. Given the special responsibility of Russia and the United States for the preservation of global security detrimental to the whole complex of international relations”, — reads the statement of the Russian leader.

According to him, further steps for restoration of Russian-American relations will be built on the basis of the policy that will hold the US President-elect Donald trump.

“We’re not going to create problems for American diplomats. We’re not going to send. We will not deny their families and children to use their usual resting places during the new year holidays”, — said the President.

in addition, the head of state invited children of American diplomats for a Christmas tree in the Kremlin and congratulated them with the holidays, the American people and trump.

Previously, the U.S. imposed new sanctions against Russia, accusing intelligence agencies and individuals in “intervention in election”. Also, the American authorities announced that the country needs to exit 35 of Russian diplomats, which Barack Obama called “the employees of Russian intelligence.”

In the Kremlin, the actions of the American side considered it an act of “predictable aggression of people who are three weeks to go.” Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov has promised that Russia will take adequate retaliatory measures. Foreign Minister invited Putin to expel 31 employee of the U.S. Embassy and four employees of the American Consulate General in St. Petersburg.