Russia expels 775 US diplomats over sanctions

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin.

Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be unnecessary.

A US State Department official denounced the move as a "regrettable and uncalled for act," adding that Washington was now weighing a potential response.

On Friday, the Russian foreign ministry demanded Washington cut its diplomatic presence in Russia by September 1 to 455 people – the same number Moscow has in the US.

"More than a thousand people – diplomats and technical personnel – were working and are still working" at the US embassy and consulates, Putin said in an interview with Rossia-24 television.

"755 people must stop their activities in Russia."

The US State Department would not confirm the number of US officials serving at the mission. Putin added that an upturn in Russia's relations with Washington could not be expected "any time soon."

"We have waited long enough, hoping that the situation would perhaps change for the better," he said.

"But it seems that even if the situation is changing, it's not for any time soon."

Putin warned that Russia could further ratchet up the pressure, but he hoped this would not be needed. Russia still "has things to say and is able to further restrict areas of common activities, which may be sensitive for the American side," he said.

Meanwhile, the German economy minister said yesterday that new penalties against Moscow proposed by US lawmakers violate international law and officials in Brussels should consider countermeasures.

"We consider this as being against international law, plain and simple," Brigitte Zypries told the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain.

"Of course we don't want a trade war. But it is important the European Commission now looks into countermeasures," she added. According to the minister, "the Americans cannot punish German companies because they operate economically in another country."

Last week, both chambers of the US Congress decided to impose new sanctions against Russia over its Crimea reunification and alleged meddling in US elections. The bill has still to be signed by US President Donald Trump. This is the first time Washington has made a move against Moscow without European consent.

The bill appears to target Russia's Nord Stream-2 pipeline that will deliver natural gas from Russia to Germany. The proposed expansion would double the existing pipeline's capacity and make Germany EU's main energy hub.

The legislation seeks to introduce individual sanctions for contributing in Russian energy projects and targets major sectors of Russia's economy, including defence, railway, and banking industries.

The new sanctions have been criticised by several officials in Europe, including the Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

Critics of the US government argue the sanctions could affect European energy security and serve Washington's economic interests – in line with the "America First" policy of President Trump.