The United States is retaliating against Russia by forcing closure of its consulate in San Francisco and scaling back its diplomatic presence in Washington and New York. The State Department said the move is in response to the Kremlin forcing a cut in U.S. diplomatic staff in Moscow. Moscow forced the cut in U.S. diplomatic staff earlier this year in retaliation for U.S. sanctions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed regret during a phone call with his U.S. counterpart Tillerson about Washington's decision, his ministry said. "Moscow will closely study the new measures announced by the Americans, after which our reaction will be conveyed," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Source: CBC News August 31, 2017 17:23 UTC