U.S. Closes Three Russian Diplomatic Sites

The United States will close three Russian diplomatic facilities in retaliation for the Kremlin’s expulsion of American diplomats, the State Department announced Thursday.

Citing “the spirit of parity invoked by the Russians,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that Russia would be required to close its consulate in San Francisco, a chancery annex in Washington, and a consular annex in New York City. Russia’s mandate expelling 755 embassy and consulate staff, made in the wake of new Russia sanctions President Trump signed last month, goes into effect Friday.