According to the Russian Satellite Network, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova said that before January 31, 2022, all personnel of the US Embassy in Russia who have been in Moscow for more than 3 years should leave Russia. Zakharova pointed out that the United States had to do this first, and this is not Russia's choice.
In December 2020, the U.S. State Department unilaterally limited the tenure of staff at the Russian Embassy in the United States and the Consulates General in New York and Houston to three years. The term of office of other diplomatic representatives in the United States is 5 years.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Antonov said earlier that due to this measure by the United States, 27 Russian diplomats and their families in the United States will be forced to leave the United States on January 30, 2022. There are also the same number of Russian diplomats who will have to leave the United States on June 30, 2022.
Antonov Infographic
Zakharova said at a press conference: "We regard the US request as an expulsion and intend to respond accordingly." By January 31, 2022, all U.S. Embassy personnel who have been in Moscow for more than 3 years should leave Russia. ”
She stressed that this is not Russia's choice, but the United States must do it.
Zakharova added: "By July 1 next year, if Washington does not abandon the three-year rule and does not make compromises, another group of employees will leave the country, which will be equal to the number of Russians required by the State Department to leave." ”
Zakharova Infographic
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Source: China News Network