Russia not to expel U.S. diplomats in retaliation against Washington's provocations

15:20, 30.12.2016 1 min read

Russian President Vladimir Putin dubbed anti-Russian moves of the U.S. Administration as provocative but said that Russia would not stoop to the level of 'kitchen diplomacy' and would abstain from expelling U.S. diplomats and restricting their access to recreation areas as a form of retaliation.

"We will not create problems for U.S. diplomats. We will not expel anyone. We will not prohibit their families and children to use customary recreational facilities during the New Year holiday season," Putin said in a statement posted by the Kremlin press service.

"We reserve the right to countermeasures yet we will not stoop to the level of 'kitchen' irresponsible diplomacy and will take further steps towards restoring Russia-U.S. relations proceeding from the policy to be carried out by the Administration of President Donald Trump," the Russian president said.