MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Foreign Ministry also accused US intelligence services of carrying out provocations against the staff of Russian diplomatic missions not only in the United States, but also in other countries.
"We are indignant about Washington's decision to withdraw the accreditation of five out of six honorary consuls of the Russian Federation in the United States: in California, Utah, Minnesota, Florida and Puerto Rico. Moreover, they could even face prosecution," ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
She added that the decision to revoke the consuls' accreditation continues the Obama administration line on curtailing relations with Russia.
"The US authorities have once again demonstrated the true attitude to the development of contacts between people, in which establishment honorary consuls have been directly involved, along with assisting Russians visiting the United States," the spokeswoman pointed out.
She extended Russia's gratitude to the US citizens that had been serving as Russia's consuls for the huge contribution in the development of multilateral cooperation between Russia and the United States and expressed hope that they would be able to return to this job "after common sense prevails in Washington sooner or later."
