US to Respond to Russia's Move to Reduce US Diplomatic Mission by September 1

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Talking to reporters after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, which is currently underway in Manila, Tillerson said that he had informed his Russian counterpart about it, according to the Associated Press.

Tillerson, however, did not specified regarding the US retaliatory measures.

According to Tillerson, the White House wants to continue cooperating with Russia and not to cut off ties due to the existing contradictions.

In December, then US President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats and banned Russia from accessing two of its diplomatic compounds. The decision came as a response to Russia’s alleged interference in the US election, which Moscow has repeatedly denied.

In late July, Russia responded with calling on the United States to cut down the number of diplomats and technical staff of diplomatic missions in Russia to 455 people, on par with Russia's diplomatic representation in the United States, by September 1. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the personnel of the US diplomatic missions in Russia would be cut by 755 people.

Russia also suspended the US embassy use of all warehouses in Moscow and a compound in the Serebryany Bor park as of August 1.