Putin responds to sanction, orders US to cut 755 embassy workers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the United States will have to cut its diplomatic staff in Russia by 755 by Sept. 1 in response to expanded U.S. sanctions.

Ayon sa Russian Foreign Minister iniutos niyang bawasan ang bilang ng US embassy at consular employees hanggang 455. Mismong si Putin ang nagkumpirma nito sa national TV.

Sabi ni Putin, “We had hoped that the situation will somehow change, but apparently if it changes, it won’t be soon,” Putin told Rossiya 1, explaining why Moscow decided to retaliate. “I thought it was the time to show that we’re not going to leave it without an answer.”

Samantala sinabi ng US State Department na ang hakbang ni Putin ay “regrettable at uncalled for act”

Noong Huwebes nangyari ang botohan at ang naging resulta ay 98-2. Ito ang dahilan para aprobahan ang “new package for tougher financial sanctions” laban sa Russia, Iran at South Korea.

May layunin ang legislation na parusahan ang Moscow sa pakikialam nito sa 2016 US presidential elections at ang military agression sa Ukraine at Syria.

Hindi naman dito sumang ayon si President Trump at nagtangkang bigyan ng solusyon ang problema. But the new legislation prevents Trump from doing so unless approved by Congress.

On Friday, the White House said the president intended to sign the sanctions package.

Magugunita na bago bumaba sa kanyang pwesto , nagbigay ng kautusan si dating Pangulong Barack Obama para sa seizure ng dalawang Russian diplomatic compounds at pinatalsik ang 35 diplomats bilang tugon sa umano’y election interference na pinasinungalingan naman ng Russia.

Putin did not retaliate at the time in hopes that Trump would roll back the sanctions.

Myra Revilla
MCBN News Correspondent
August 1, 2017