Russia included the United States in the list of 'unfriendly' countries: what does it mean

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the United States will become one of the “unfriendly countries” whose embassies will be limited in hiring staff in Russia according to a decree by President Vladimir Putin, writes Air force.

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Friday, April 23, Putin signed a decree, according to which states “committing unfriendly actions” against Russia will be limited in their right to hire Russian citizens: their number will be determined by a quota. The President also foresaw the possibility of a complete ban on the employment of Russians in the embassies of such states: if it is introduced, they will be able to provide their work only at the expense of their own citizens.

Putin made this decision amid an unprecedented diplomatic conflict with the Czech Republic, whose authorities suspected Russia of involvement in the explosions of ammunition depots in 2014 and announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats. In response, Moscow also expelled employees of the Czech embassy.

On Sunday, April 25, Zakharova announced that the government was working on a list of “unfriendly states” - and named the first of them.

“Who are these most unfriendly states? The list is now being formed,” said a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Rossiya-1 TV channel. “As we understand, the whole story began with another round of unfriendly actions by the United States. As you understand and as I can confirm, naturally the United States appears on the list.”

On the subject: 'Lowest point of relations': American Ambassador John Sullivan leaves Russia

“You will find out the rest of the states when the government order is published and the corresponding list appears,” Zakharova added, calling Russia’s decision protective measures against unfriendly steps of other countries.

At the beginning of the week, Zakharova already clarified that the United States and the Czech Republic will be prohibited from hiring Russians in their embassies.

“This was the main part, in particular, for the Czech Embassy in organizing their work in Moscow,” said the Foreign Ministry representative. “A very large number of people were hired among Russian citizens.”

Just like 1986

According to the Kommersant newspaper, the ban on hiring Russians at the US Embassy could be a painful measure, since “the United States hires almost all the administrative and technical personnel of its diplomatic missions abroad in the host country.”

The largest expulsion of American diplomats from Russia occurred in 2017, when Moscow responded to sanctions imposed by Washington for meddling in the presidential election. Then more than 700 employees of the US Embassy were expelled from the country, but the hiring of Russian citizens was still allowed.

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In 1986, Soviet authorities also banned the US Embassy from hiring Soviet citizens, a decision made in response to the expulsion of diplomats from Washington after a spy scandal. Then, of the foreigners in the embassy, ​​only three Italian citizens remained, including a cook.

Unlike the United States, Russia - just like the Soviet Union in the past - does not employ foreigners in its embassies.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• Czech Republic expels 18 Russian diplomats due to suspicions of the involvement of Russian special services in the explosion at an ammunition depot in 2014. Russia responded by expelling 20 Czech diplomats from the country.
• Russia declared personami non grata 10 U.S. Embassy staff. Washington emphasizes that the United States is striving for a constructive dialogue with Russia.
• U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said he would return to Washington for consultations amid aggravated relations with Moscow.

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