US orders closure of Russian Consulate in San Francisco – State Department

Putin called it right in the Putin Interviews with Oliver Stone, Putin said in election may promised are made but int he end nothing every really changes in Washington. Trump has repeatedly said in the past he was willing to work with Russia. Moscow was cautiously optimistic about the relations with the new US government, saying that it will have to wait and see if Trump’s election promises match his actions after he comes into office.

The Trump Administration is forcing the closure of the Russian Consulate in San Francisco, as well as two annex buildings in Washington and New York. They will have to close by September 2.

This follows Obama’s move in 2016 when he closes to Russian consulates, this is a very dangerous road when Diplomatic compounds are forced shut by Presidents.

Both Obama and Trumps forced closure of Russian embassies and consulates is likely a violation of the Vienna Convention.

3/ The Vienna Convention governs all diplomatically certified buildings. Inviolability is explicit. https://t.co/k6CepS4HbF pic.twitter.com/fEZGUaJsnA

— Julian Assange ???? (@JulianAssange) July 14, 2017

Russia’s consul-general in San Francisco, Sergey Petrov, said Washington’s decision will harm both Russian and American citizens living in the US region.

“Americans have often addressed our consulate with many issues, including to apply for a Russian visa,” the diplomat told RIA Novosti.

The order came following the US Congress’ approval of new sanctions against Russia, and aimed to equalize the number of both countries’ diplomatic staff by September 1. As a result, the US Embassy staff in Russia was cut by 755.

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August 23, the US embassy in Russia suspended all “nonimmigrant visa operations” in Russia, saying they will be resumed only in the main embassy building in Moscow on September 1.

“NIV [non-immigrant visa] interviews at the US Consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok are suspended until further notice,” the embassy said in a statement.