Washington explained new sanctions against Russia

New US sanctions against Russia were needed to show the "strong desire of the American people to see" that Moscow is taking steps to improve relations with the United States, according to a comment by the head of the State Department, Rex Tillerson.

“We hope that cooperation with Russia on major global issues will continue and the sanctions imposed will no longer be necessary,” the commentary says.

The US "will work closely" with its "friends and partners" to ensure that "the message to Russia, Iran and North Korea is clearly understood," Tillerson said.

Recall that on July 22, the US Congress published an agreed bill on sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. The document, in particular, refers to the need to oppose the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

In turn, Russia banned US diplomats from using all storage facilities on Dorozhnaya Street in Moscow and the dacha in Serebryany Bor.

The Russian authorities also demanded that the United States reduce the number of diplomats and technical staff working in Russia to 455 by September 1. According to Kommersant , more than 700 employees of the US Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in Russia must leave Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry explained that such a decision was made because of the new law on sanctions against Russia, which was adopted by the US Senate.

Maxim Proshkin