Tensions between Washington and Moscow have taken yet another downturn. After U.S. Congress approved sanctions against Russia for attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election, Vladimir Putin retaliated in early August by ordering the reduction of U.S. diplomatic staff by 755, or about two-thirds. In response, the U.S. embassy announced that it will be suspending non-immigrant visas for eight days. According to ABC News , the suspension will be permanent at consulates in Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok, and St. Petersburg. Visa operations will only resume in the U.S. embassy building in Moscow on September 1. According to a spokesperson from the U.S. embassy, despite Russia’s cap on the number of embassy staff, personnel levels will still be sufficient for the embassy to “carry out essential elements of our mission.” According to NBC News , Russia has not yet retaliated to the suspension of non-immigrant visas, but Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that Russ...
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