Russia will determine steps in restoring ties with US depending on Trump - Putin

Russia will determine steps in restoring ties with US depending on Trump - Putin
# 30 December 2016 14:37 (UTC +04:00)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow will determine further steps in restoring ties with the United States depending on the policy of President-elect Donald Trump, Sputnik International reported.

"Reserving the right to retaliate, we will not resort to the level of irresponsible 'kitchen' diplomacy and further steps toward the restoration of Russian-US relations will be build on the basis of the policy carried out by the administration of President Donald Trump."

Russia will not expel anyone as a response to US sanctions against Moscow over alleged hacking, Putin said.

"We regard the new unfriendly steps of the outgoing US administration as provocation aimed at further undermining Russian-US relations."

On Thursday, US outgoing President Barack Obama announced the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats.

"This is clearly contrary to the fundamental interests of both the Russian and US citizens. In view of Russia's and the US' special responsibility for the preservation of global security, [this] also damages the entire system of international relations," Putin said.

Putin said that Moscow will not ban US diplomats' families and children from using their preferred holiday destinations in Russia for New Year celebrations.

"We will not create problems for US diplomats. We will not expel anyone. We will not prohibit their families and children to use their usual vacation spots in the New Year's holidays. Moreover, i am inviting all children of the US diplomats accredited in Russia to the New Year's and Christmas celebration in the Kremlin."

Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the ministry proposed the president to consider declaring 31 US Embassy in Moscow and four US Consulate General in St. Petersburg employees 'persona non grata' as well as ban the use of a vacation retreat by US diplomats.

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