Responding to a Russian government demand to drastically slash American diplomatic staff in Russia, the Trump administration on Thursday ordered Moscow to close three of its consular offices in the United States. Russia will be required to close its consulate general in San Francisco, the chancery annex in Washington and the consular annex in New York, the State Department announced. Angered over a package of congressionally mandated economic sanctions, Russia had ordered the U.S. to cut its staff in Russia by about two-thirds, to 455. Instead of rapprochement with Russia, Putin struck back, ordering the diplomatic staff reductions. He has also said he hopes to be able to work with Russia on shared interests, such as fighting terrorism.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 31, 2017 20:35 UTC