Tillerson: US to Respond to Russia's Ouster of Diplomats

US Secretary of State said Washington will respond by Sept. 1 to Russia's move to force a major reduction in American diplomatic staff, a move that echoed former President Barack Obama's action to kick out Russian diplomats for Moscow's meddling in the 2016 American election.


Russia said recently it was forcing the US to cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755 people. But there's been confusion because the US is believed to have far fewer than 755 American employees in Russia.

Rex Tillerson spoke to reporters during a visit to the Philippines on Sunday. He said he communicated US plans to respond by that deadline to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov when they met Sunday in Manila. Tillerson said he told Lavrov that the US still hasn't decided how it will respond.

He added that he asked Lavrov "several clarifying questions" about the act of Russian retaliation, AP reported.
 (Tasnim)
 7/8/17