US Expels 35 Russian Diplomats, Russia Declines to Expel US Diplomats

[Navarro]

"Washington declared 35 Russian diplomats persona non grata ... The move came 'as part of a comprehensive response to Russia’s interference in the U.S. election' ... 'Today’s actions send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable and will have consequences,' the Department of State said ... The White House said the diplomats were given 72 hours to leave."
http://tass.com/politics/923377

"Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia won't be expelling U.S. diplomats in a tit-for-tat response ... Lavrov announced plans for Russia to respond in kind ... But just two hours after Lavrov's comments, Putin announced there would be no such actions taken."
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/30/507525510/russia-plans-to-expel-u-s-diplomats-in-response-to-u-s-sanctions

Recall that in July America expelled two Russian diplomats, followed by Russia expelling two American diplomats. Now America has expelled thirty-five Russian diplomats, followed by Russia expelling zero Americans. The July expulsions occurred near the beginning of a period of escalation events between the United States and Russian Federation, where the risk of direct conflict between RF and US ran high. It would appear that Russia wishes to deescalate the situation, not wishing a repeat of July. After all, Obama will vacate the office of the president shortly, and so Russia will only have to contend with behavior of this nature for a short time longer, in theory.

 

[Navarro]

"The Russian president has rejected a suggestion of the foreign ministry to expel 35 American diplomats in response to a similar move by the US. He said Obama’s act was designed to provoke a reaction, but Russia would not take the bait. 'We reserve the right to retaliate, but we will not sink to the level of this irresponsible ‘kitchen’ diplomacy. We will take further moves on restoring Russian-American relations based on the policies that the administration of President-elect Donald Trump adopts,' Russian President Vladimir Putin said ... Putin said that, unlike the Obama administration, Russia will not target foreign diplomats and their families days before New Year’s celebrations ... 'Moreover, I invite the children of all American diplomats with accreditation in Russia to New Year’s and Christmas festivities in the Kremlin,' the Russian president said ... Putin said he regretted that US President Barack Obama is ending his term 'in such a way,' but that he extended his New Year’s congratulations to the outgoing US president and his family nevertheless. 'I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump and the entire American people!' he concluded."
https://www.rt.com/news/372256-putin-diplomats-expulsion-rejects/

Full statement by Putin: http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53678

 

[Navarro]

"The total number of diplomats and their families, who will have to leave the United States, is 96 people ... Among the Russian diplomats were declared persona non grata US, there are those who arrived in the country just two months ago ... 'How they could be employed technologically undermining American elections, as evidenced by the special services, indicating as the date of spring 2016, it is not clear at all,' - added Zakharova."
Original: http://tass.ru/politika/3918671?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=smm_social_share
Translated: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftass.ru%2Fpolitika%2F3918671%3Futm_source%3Dtwitter.com%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Dsmm_social_share&edit-text=

 

[Drumboy44]

It almost feels like the world has Obama out the door. Counties waiting to see a president Trump.