Russian Ambassador In Washington Says US Delays Visa Extension For 60 Diplomats, 40 Others Are Being Detained In Moscow

Russian Embassy in Washington DC, United States of America. (Wikimedia Commons/Aaron Siirila)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) has withheld visa extensions for nearly 60 employees of the Russian Embassy and Consulate General in the United States, with about 40 other diplomats still waiting for entry permits in Moscow, Russia's Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said.

"Our overseas agencies have a lot of problems. Nearly 60 diplomats are still at the Russian Embassy and Consulate General in the United States. Meanwhile, the Americans are delaying the extension of their visas," he said, adding that included the employees' family members, who numbered 155 people, quoted from TASS November 19.

"Around 40 diplomats are waiting for entry documents in Moscow, many of whom have been on the 'waiting list' for over a year. We have had to face our family values trampled on, as some members of the diplomat's family have been granted visas, while others don't have it," Antonov continued.

He further pointed out that some employees of the Russian diplomatic mission are also waiting for the registration of accreditation documents, and there are problems with the registration of official vehicles, as well as confiscated Russian diplomatic property that has not been returned.

According to the Russian Ambassador, "the American side deliberately portrayed itself as a victim of Moscow's 'visa restrictions'."

"The reason is to pin all responsibility for consular and visa issues in Moscow, which does not reflect reality. In particular, this relates to a recent request by American senators to expel 300 Russian diplomats."

"This kind of initiative shows the ignorance of their MPs, because the number of diplomats in the Russian Embassy and Consulate General in the United States is non-existent. In fact, this means the complete closure of all bilateral foreign Russian institutions in the United States," Antonov explained.

In retaliation for anti-Russian sanctions and the subsequent expulsion of diplomats, Moscow imposed restrictions on hiring Russian nationals and employees from third countries.

To note, the US Embassy in Moscow announced from May 12 it will reduce consular services, along with suspending the issuance of non-diplomatic visas. Issuance of visas for diplomatic personnel is also very slow.

Since August 1, the US Embassy in Moscow has only functioned with 120 employees, the lowest in five years. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the US diplomatic mission was free to fill the quota of 455 diplomats by employing American citizens.