In response to US sanctions, Moscow expels diplomats and is ready for calm and professional dialogue to normalize relations with Washington

Russia on Friday unveiled its response to the new US sanctions, through decisions including the expulsion of diplomats and the ban of senior US officials from entering its territory, despite insisting that ‘she is open to the proposal to hold a summit between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden. .

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Kremlin had offered the US ambassador to Moscow to leave the country for consultations with his administration. Read also Reconciliation between China and Russia facing America. Will it become an alliance? Recruitment of demons … Russia’s plan to conquer the world via the Internet Foreign policy: Is Russia preparing for war in Ukraine? Washington warns Russia of consequences in case where Ukraine would be exposed to “aggression”

Lavrov confirmed that his country will expel 10 American diplomats from Russia, in response to American behavior.

The minister added that Moscow has also decided to ban the employment of administrative and technical personnel in the diplomatic missions of the United States among the citizens of Russia or any other country, and to reduce the Russian missions to 300 employees.

Russia’s Foreign Office has said officials including Justice Minister Merrick Garland, Biden’s chief domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, and FBI Director Christopher Ray have been barred from entry.

The Russian decisions came in response to sanctions imposed by Washington on Thursday, which targeted 16 Russian entities and 16 figures, according to Russia Today, and the US president said his country was not seeking escalation and conflict with Russia. , but rather wants stable relationships without surprises.

Last month, Russia summoned its ambassador to the United States to consult on the future of relations with Washington, in a step that came after Biden said Putin would “pay the price” for his alleged meddling in the United States. elections, expressing his approval of the assessment that Putin was a “killer”.

Russia announced on Friday that it had decided to expel 5 Polish diplomats in response to Warsaw’s announcement of the expulsion of 3 Russian diplomats, in solidarity with US measures against Moscow. Publicity

Russia denies interfering in the US elections or organizing a cyber attack on US tech company Solar Windows to penetrate US government networks.