Russia's Foreign Ministry has ordered a reduction in the number of U.S. diplomats in Russia and said it was closing down a U.S. recreation retreat in response to fresh sanctions against Russia.
The Senate on Friday approved a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea and sent it to President Donald Trump to sign.
He will be under pressure to sign it after weeks of intense negotiations.
Trump's likelihood of supporting the measure is a remarkable concession that the president has yet to sell his party on his hopes for forging a warmer relationship with Moscow. Skeptical lawmakers are looking to limit the executive power's leeway to go easy on Moscow over its meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Read More:
The Senate passed the bill, 98-2, two days after the House pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3.
The legislation bars Trump from easing or waiving the penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday that in response it has ordered the U.S. Embassy in Russia to reduce the number of its diplomats by Sept. 1. Russia will also close down the embassy's recreational retreat on the outskirts of Moscow as well as warehouse facilities.
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.