Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the country's leadership is preparing a response to the arrest of Russian diplomatic property in the US in late 2016. She announced this on Wednesday, June 28, on the air of the TV channel "Russia 1".
"Response measures are being prepared. This issue will be decided not only in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "she said..
According to her, Moscow's response "will have a very solid base of elaboration". "They know this very well, we have repeatedly said this to them," added the diplomat.
Recall, in late December last year, the outgoing US administration, headed by President Barack Obama, introduced new anti-Russian sanctions. The White House proclaimed persons non grata 35 employees of the Russian embassy in Washington and the Consulate General in San Francisco, and also closed two Russian diplomatic dachas - in the states of New York and Maryland. Access to all personnel to these two complexes was closed as early as December 30, just before the New Year holidays.
Washington linked these restrictive measures with hacker attacks on American political institutions, accusing them of Russia. Moscow did not recognize the legality of such steps by the departed US administration, but so far has refrained from retaliation. Moreover, the Kremlin surprised the world with its then reaction.
"We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not send anyone away. We will not prohibit their families and children from using their usual vacation spots during the New Year holidays. Moreover, I invite all the children of American diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year and Christmas tree to the Kremlin, "- said in a statement of President Vladimir Putin.
And recently, the new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Moscow and Washington are negotiating terms for the return of Russian diplomatic property to the territory of the United States.
"We separated the major issues from the list of" irritants ". Villas are in this list. These dachas have been in Russian possession since 1971. They used them for a very long time. What we are now working with them on: under what conditions can we give them again access for recreation, "- said on June 13 Tillerson.