'We are very limited': the US blocked the accounts of all Russian consulates

One of the largest US banks, Bank of America, closed the accounts of the Russian Consulates General in Houston (Texas) and New York (New York). This was announced by the Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov, writes Meduza.

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“In fact, the embassy is under blockade by US government agencies. The accounts of our two Consulates General in Houston and New York have been closed. Threats come to our address: both telephone and letters come. At one time, even the exit from the embassy was blocked,” Antonov said.

The Russian ambassador also spoke about "numerous demonstrations" outside the walls of the embassy. He also said that "there were acts of vandalism, poured paint." According to the ambassador, this is due to "Russophobia, which is currently deployed in the United States."

Earlier, Antonov had already complained about the harassment of Russians by the US authorities. He cited the example of the expulsion of Russian diplomats, and also said that he himself was told that he might have to leave Washington.

How account blocking affected

Acting Consul General Vyacheslav Slavkin told how the blocking of accounts affected the work of the department, writes RIA News".

“We are very limited in paying utility bills - we cannot pay for gasoline, for insurance. We cannot pay for the elementary things necessary for the functioning of the Consulate General,” Slavkin said.

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According to him, "there are restrictions on the payment of salaries" to the consulate staff.

“We have no right to issue checks, all cards are blocked. Through electronic channels, we do not have the right to pay for any services,” he said, calling the blocked amount large.

He explained that all expenses for maintaining the work of the consulate are covered from the cash reserve available at the mission's cash desk in case of emergencies.

“In addition, we use the funds that citizens pay for consular services,” he added, noting that they are provided in full.

So, according to him, it is from these funds that utilities and gasoline are paid.

“We have almost completely restricted the departure of our employees, as this is a waste of fuel. Communications - mobile, telephone - we pay. The most urgent, in general, ”added Slavkin.

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The diplomat did not begin to build forecasts for how long the reserve of funds would last.

“We are working very closely with the State Department on this issue. The agency promised to assist in opening new accounts in some other bank. But for now, everything is in progress. So far, there is no result,” he said.

Slavkin also said that the representative office was threatened with Molotov cocktails, recently there was a report of mining, which turned out to be false. The permanent mission to the UN also faced a similar problem.

Russia and the United States were engaged in a dispute over the size and functioning of their respective diplomatic missions long before Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a war against Ukraine on February 24.

Western governments have imposed tough sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, prompting Moscow to accuse them of virulent Russophobia.

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