Russia responds to U.S. sanctions

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday ordered a reduction in the number of U.S. diplomats in Russia, along with other measures, after the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved (98-2) new financial sanctions Thursday night against the country for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Senate has sent the sanctions bill, which also includes punitive measures directed at Iran and North Korea, to President Donald Trump to sign. The bill prevents Trump from either easing or waiving the penalties on Russia without approval from Congress. Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement it has ordered the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to reduce its number of diplomats by Sept. 1. The ministry also said Russia would close down the embassy’s recreational retreat on the outskirts of the capital by Aug. 1, and shut down a warehouse facility. “Hiding behind its ‘exceptionalism,’ the United States arrogantly ignores the positions and interests of other countries,” Russia’s statement said.