The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the United States of deliberately reducing the number of visa issuers.

Фото: Depositphotos

Russia's Foreign Ministry said the United States had deliberately cut the number of visa-issuing staff at its consulates general in Russia to "provoke public discontent."

This is stated in the message department press services.

“The American Embassy is complaining about a lack of staff, which was reduced at our request. But, firstly, this was done in response to the mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from the United States and other openly hostile steps against Russia. Secondly, the decision to cut the workers employed at the visa section was made in Washington and was done deliberately - they deliberately created inconvenience for the Russians, hoping to provoke public discontent,” the report says.

The ministry noted that the problem has affected many areas of the life of Russians and Russian-American cooperation.

“It has reached the point of massive delays in issuing visas for Aeroflot crews operating regular flights to the United States, which risks disrupting them and violates the bilateral air services agreement. Serious problems have arisen among Russian athletes who are unable to make it to international competitions, which closely resembles deliberate discrimination against our athletes and contradicts the commitments the Americans made when they volunteered to host the competition. Let’s not even talk about the thwarted plans of thousands of ordinary people,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry suggested that this was done with the aim of “hiding the truth about Russia in the US”.

“Of course, it’s up to the US authorities how they issue their visas and who they let in. We are not going to ask for anything. But with their actions in the visa field in Washington, they clearly demonstrate how they view contacts between people. Instead of expanding them, which our country strives for to strengthen mutual understanding and trust, they are putting up obstacles to the arrival of Russians, as if they are afraid of the spread of true information about Russia in America, they want to protect their citizens from it, to isolate themselves from us,” the ministry’s website says.

At the same time, the department added that they welcome the resumption of issuing visas in the US consulates general.

The confrontation between Russia and the United States began in December last year, when the administration of US President Barack Obama imposed sanctions against 9 Russian institutions, companies and individuals, including against the GRU and the FSB, for “interfering in elections and putting pressure on American diplomats” working in Russia.

Also USA closed access to two residential complexes - the so-called country dachas of the Russian Permanent Mission in New York and the embassies in Washington, which are Russian diplomatic property. In addition, non grata persons were are announced 35 Russian diplomats. They were expelled from the country on the eve of New Year's Eve.

Given the change of power in the United States, Russia was in no hurry to respond. However, in early August of this year, Moscow decided to cut The number of American diplomats accredited in Russia per 755 is from about 1,2 thousands of people currently working in Russia.

In addition, Russia has not forgotten about diplomatic dachas and reported that “the Russian side suspends since 1 in August, the US Embassy in Russia will use all storage facilities on Dorozhnaya Street in Moscow and summer cottages in Serebryanny Bor. ”

In response to such measures 23 August Washington decided to pause issuing non-immigrant visas throughout Russia. The issuance of documents was resumed from September 1, but in a reduced volume and only in Moscow. Therefore, the embassy staff recommended that Russians apply for permission to enter the United States at consulates in other states.

Since December 11 US consulate generals in Russian cities will also resume issuing visas.

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