Moscow.
Russia announced today that it will expel ten U.S. diplomats and adopt a series of sanctions in response to a similar decision taken on the eve by United States due to Russian cyberespionage and interference in Ukraine.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin“It has approved these measures in response to the absolutely unfriendly and gratuitous acts announced by Washington against Russia, our citizens, individuals and legal entities, and our financial system,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a statement. Press conference .
Lavrov advanced that a “black list” will soon be published that will include eight U.S. officials holding positions of responsibility in government institutions of USA, Which on Thursday sanctioned, in turn, senior Russian officials.
Moscow will also limit and cease the activities of foundations and non-governmental organizations in that country that “openly” interfere in Russia’s internal affairs.
In addition, the Russian authorities will begin the process of denouncing the agreement governing the mobility of diplomats in the country to which they have been destined in order to restrict their travels far from Moscow.
Lavrov warned that if the current “exchange of courtesies” continues, Moscow will ask Washington to reduce the number of its diplomats on Russian territory from the current 450 to 300, on par with the Russian presence in the US.
He explained that Russia will be reserved for the future “painful measures“For the American business world.
As for the rest of the measures and the identity of the sanctioned senior US officials, he advanced that they will be known today, Friday.
He also pointed out that the Kremlin “Recommend” to U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan to return to his country for consultations with his superiors.
On Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on Russia for its alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election and its alleged role in the massive cyberattack of SolarWinds, as well as imposing punishments related to Russian actions in Ukraine and Afghanistan. .
The government of President Joe Biden also announced the expulsion from the United States of ten members of the Russian diplomatic mission in Washington, including members of the intelligence services.
In addition, the White house formally accuse the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of having “perpetrated” the massive cyberattack that allegedly began in 2019 and penetrated the systems of the US Government and large companies through a program of the company SolarWinds.
In total, Washington’s new sanctions affect 6 Russian companies for their cyberespionage activities, 32 Russian organizations and individuals for electoral interference, and 8 individuals and entities for the Russian occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.