US/Russia.—Russian ambassador to the US accuses Washington of “distorting facts” over the expulsion of diplomats

Madrid, 30 (Europa Press)

The Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, has accused Washington of “distorting” the reality about the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the North American country.

For Antonov, the US State Department is getting “cunning again.” “He is deliberately trying to evade public opinion nationally and internationally by distorting facts.”

This is how he referred to the words of a State Department spokeswoman, Jalina Porter, who pointed out that the departure of 55 Russian diplomats from the country “cannot be viewed as a punitive measure.”

The administration of US President, Joe Biden, has also clarified that, in the event of non-compliance with the requirements, “immunities and other diplomatic privileges available to Russian embassy staff will be withdrawn.”

According to information from the Russian news agency TASS, for Antonov, Washington’s position directly implies a “real expulsion” of Russian workers. “The United States is trying to limit Russia’s sovereign rights,” he lamented.

Porter, for his part, has insisted that the United States only demands from Russian diplomats what Moscow demands of Americans. However, he has indicated that Washington will continue to discuss the matter with the Russian government.

The United States on Monday defended that the departure of 27 Russian diplomats from the country was not an “expulsion” because Moscow would be able to replace personnel. However, Antonov Antonov on Saturday reported 27 Russian diplomats stationed in the North American country with their families. He said, ‘On January 30, 27 people along with their families will leave us and on June 30, the same number will leave from here.’