pixabay.com
American authorities broke the lock of the closed Consulate General in Seattle and entered the building the previous day, RIA Novosti informs. According to Russian diplomats, by doing it, Washington violated the international law and the convention on diplomatic relations, in particular. Russian Foreign Ministry promised to retaliate.
Nevertheless, the US State Department is sure that invasion into the building bearing a diplomatic property status is not illegal. The representative of the State Department called it a legitimate answer to actions of the Russian Federation.
Russian Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov called Washington’s behavior an unfriendly step directed against Russia. He has mentioned that the day before they celebrated another anniversary of the Elbe Day. “This splendid day was darkened by non-constructive and unfriendly American actions, I would say anti-Russian,” Anatoly Antonov said.
The Embassy has reminded that Moscow did not give its consent on cancellation of inviolability of its property in Seattle and accused US of violation of international and national legislations.
The official spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova accused US authorities of illegal takeover of the residence of the Russian Consul General in Seattle. “Hurry up to see American authorities starting a takeover operation of the Russian Consulate General premises in Seattle. It is a rare sight – a state illegal takeover,” she said.
Note that at the end of last month, American authorities demanded 60 Russian diplomats to leave the US borders. American authorities also decided to close Russian Consulate General in Seattle explaining these demands by Russia attempting to poison the former Soviet intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Russian Foreign Ministry closed down the US representative office in Saint Petersburg and expelled American diplomats out of the country as a retaliatory measure.
All employees of the Consulate General left the building the previous day. The office stopped working on April 2, as requested by the American authorities. Employees have been gathering belongings and documents and preparing the premises for the temporary shutdown.
Russkiy Mir
