Putin, Responding to Sanctions, Orders U.S. to Cut Diplomatic Staff by 755

The New York Times -------- President Vladimir V. Putin announced on Sunday that the American diplomatic mission in Russia would have to cut its staff by 755 employees by Sept. 1, a response to the new American sanctions that escalated the tensions between Washington and Moscow.“Over 1,000 employees — diplomats and technical workers — worked and continue to work today in Russia; 755 will have to stop this activity,” he said, according to both a clip shown on state-run Rossiya 1 television and a transcript provided by the Interfax news agency. Although the reduction in American diplomatic staff had been announced on Friday, in response to a law passed in Congress last week expanding sanctions against Russia, the president’s statement was the first to confirm the large number of embassy personnel involved. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.