Moscow Lodges Protest Over US Breaking Int'l Law Regarding Diplomatic Missions

"Due to the continuing gross violations of the norms of international law with respect to diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Russian Federation on US territory by the authorities, the Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed strong protest to the State Department by sending a corresponding note through diplomatic channels," the ministry's statement read.

The ministry added that the closure of the Russian facilities in Washington, DC, San-Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Maryland was accompanied by severe violations, including disrespectfully removing the Russian national flag and violating the integrity of diplomatic archives.

Apart from the protest, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on the UN Secretary-General to take note of these violations, adding that Russia "reserves the right to apply additional countermeasures if the United States continues its violations."

Following a mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from the US in spring, Washington ordered the closure of the Russian Consulate in Seattle by April 2.

US Establishment Push Sanctions to Derail Paul’s Mission to Russia - Ex-Diplomat

10 August 2018, 05:10 GMT

Later the authorities seized the residence of Russian Consul General and removed the Russian flag from the building. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert claimed on Twitter that it was not an intrusion but a legal action in response to "Russia’s continuing, outrageous behavior." Moscow, in turn, has stated that the residence was "illegally seized by the US authorities," as well as five other Russian diplomatic facilities in the country, closed due to the anti-Russia sanctions.