Russia Says U.S. Forcing Its Diplomats Out as Tensions Escalate

  • 55 Russian diplomatic staff ordered to leave U.S. by mid-2022
  • U.S. toughened approach after Russia barred its local staff
Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg
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Russia’s ambassador to Washington said more than 50 diplomats and their family members will have to leave the U.S. by mid-2022, in the latest sign of tensions between the former Cold War enemies.

“Our diplomats are being thrown out,” Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said in an interview on a Russian state television anchor’s YouTube channel. “We are facing serious staff shortages.” Twenty-seven diplomats and family members have to leave by Jan. 30 and an additional 28 by June 30, the Foreign Ministry said.