Posted on 12/19/2020 3:28:13 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump's outgoing administration is planning to close the two remaining US consulates in Russia, media reports said Friday, as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office amid high tensions with Moscow.
The US will close its consulate in the far eastern city of Vladivostok and suspend operations at its post in Yekaterinburg, CNN reported, citing a December 10 letter sent to Congress from the State Department.
The move comes in "response to ongoing staffing challenges for the US Mission in Russia in the wake of the 2017 Russian-imposed personnel cap on the US Mission and the resultant impasse with Russia over diplomatic visas," the report said, citing the letter.
Ten diplomats assigned to the consulates will reportedly be relocated to the US embassy in Moscow, while 33 local staff will lose their jobs.
"No action related to the Russian consulates in the United States is planned," CNN cited the letter as saying.
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
Donald Trump’s outgoing administration, bullsh##
Let’s see what happens when Trump invites the 80mm disenfranchised voters to DC on Jan. 6.
I’d go if it were closer to Mexifornia but in the meantime I’ll be target shooting and cleaning guns.
This is about the only time I regret moving from NY. We could drive there in about 9 hours.
Hopefully I can work from home that day so I can watch it live.
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