The Epoch Times
July 31, 2021 Updated: July 31, 2021
MOSCOW—The United States said Friday it has laid off nearly 200 local staffers working for its diplomatic missions in Russia ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline set by the Kremlin for their dismissal. The move is just the latest in a series of measures taken by both sides that have strained U.S.-Russia relations.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the layoffs are regrettable and something the United States had hoped to avert, despite a sharp deterioration in ties between Moscow and Washington, which show few signs of improvement.