US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia John Sullivan. File photoWASHINGTON, Feb 21 Commenting on Russia's response, US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan told Politico that if Moscow «continues to expel diplomats,» it will be difficult for the US embassy to function.
& #34;If the Russian authorities continue with the deportations, it will be very difficult for the embassy to continue to function safely", Sullivan said.
According to him, the halls and offices in the embassy are «mostly quiet», there are several floors that are not occupied. Sullivan's biggest fear is that the embassy will not be able to obtain visas for workers who can «maintain and replace» the building's infrastructure. He cited problems with elevators, generators and water pumps. Sullivan became ambassador to Moscow in February 2020. He was appointed by the predecessor of the current president, Donald Trump, and subsequently Biden asked the diplomat to continue serving. Moscow,» Sullivan said.US citizens ask for an explanation from the embassy due to the «threat of attacks» in Russia. Earlier media reported that the US ambassador to Russia, due to a lack of personnel in the diplomatic mission, learned to mix toilet cleaning products and use a floor washer. In mid-April 2021, Washington in once again expanded anti-Russian sanctions and expelled ten diplomats. Russia, in response, included the United States in the list of unfriendly countries, which, in particular, was banned from hiring Russians and third-country nationals in embassies. The American diplomatic mission stated that it would have to significantly reduce the staff, so it would not be able to provide consular services in full. Since mid-May, Russians have stopped issuing non-immigrant visas. In June, after the summit of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden in Geneva, Moscow and Washington began contacts on the issue of normalizing the work of embassies, but, according to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, this process is «marking time» because of US attempts to put pressure on Russia.
Putin and Biden accepted the proposal to hold the summit, Paris reportedPosted by: Nikita Stoma