WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The order for the United States to reduce its diplomatic personnel in Russia has had no impact on military operations, US Department of Defense spokesperson Capt. Jeff Davis said on Monday.
"It has had no impact on our operations," Davis told reporters.
The Russian Foreign Ministry asked the United States on Friday to reduce the number of the personnel of its embassy in Russia to the level commensurate with that of the Russian Embassy in the United States by September 1. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that the diplomatic presence of the United States in Russia would be decreased by 755 employees.
Last week, both chambers of the US Congress approved a bill introducing economic sanctions on Russia, with the White House stating that President Donald Trump is intending to sign the bill into law.
In December 2016, Washington adopted sanctions targeting Russia over its alleged interference in the US presidential election, something which Moscow has repeatedly denied, expelling 35 Russian diplomats and seizing two diplomatic compounds used by Russia.
