US Dismisses Over 180 Staff at Russian Embassy... Bilateral Relations Deteriorate

Dismissals Carried Out Following Russia's 'No Hiring Locals' Policy

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The United States has dismissed 182 local employees working at its embassy in Russia, AP News reported on the 30th (local time).

This move was triggered after the Russian government announced the 'Countermeasures Against Foreign Unfriendly Actions' decree in April and listed the United States as an unfriendly country.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed regret, stating, "This action is a situation the United States wanted to avoid," and added, "It will have a serious impact on the safety of our personnel and U.S. activities in Russia, including diplomatic capabilities with the Russian government."

Secretary Blinken said, "Although it is regrettable that the Russian government forcibly reduced our services and operations, the United States seeks a predictable and stable relationship with Russia and will fulfill its commitments."

Earlier, the Russian government announced a ban on hiring local staff, including Russians, at the U.S. embassy, setting the enforcement deadline for the 1st of next month.

In response, the U.S. suspended routine consular services from May, issuing immigrant visas only in urgent cases, and closed U.S. diplomatic missions in Russia.

As a result, relations between the United States and Russia are expected to further cool.

The bilateral relationship deteriorated following Russia's interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, and allegations of the SolarWinds hacking targeting U.S. government agencies, leading to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats.

In April, the Biden administration expelled 10 Russian diplomats in the U.S. over the SolarWinds hack and election interference allegations, and the Russian government retaliated by expelling 10 American diplomats.

Although both countries have recently been attempting to improve relations by continuing follow-up talks on nuclear disarmament, AP News explained that the U.S. dismissal decision today is a measure that puts pressure on bilateral relations.