The U.S. Embassy building is reflected in a window of a Russian Army store in Moscow, Russia, July 28, 2017. (Reuters Photo)
MOSCOW, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Russia fought back against the United States on Friday in retaliation for Washington's anti-Russia sanctions, possibly triggering new rounds of mutual sanctions that will further worsen their relations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it will scale down U.S. diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people and seize a U.S. warehouse and a recreational compound known as a "dacha" in Moscow.
"We ask the U.S. side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff working in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and the consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, in exact correspondence with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff in the United States," it said in a statement.
This means that the total number of personnel employed in U.S. diplomatic and consular offices in Russia should be reduced to 455 people by Sept. 1, the statement said, without disclosing the current number.
Moscow will also suspend the use of a warehouse and a dacha in Moscow's prestigious district of Serebryany Bor by the U.S. Embassy from Aug. 1, the ministry said.
If Washington further cuts the number of Russian diplomats in the United States or takes other unfriendly measures, Russia reserves the right to give an adequate response, said the ministry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally authorized the Foreign Ministry statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.
"We have received the Russian government notification. Ambassador (John) Tefft expressed his strong disappointment and protest. We have passed the notification back to Washington for review," the U.S. Embassy in Russia said in a statement.
In December 2016, 35 Russian diplomats were expelled and two retreats in New York and Maryland used by Russian diplomats for recreation and receptions were closed by the administration of outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama over accusations of alleged Russian hacking during the presidential election.
Friday's statement is Russia's response to the expulsion of its diplomats and the seizure of its properties, said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia for Global Affairs magazine.
"The United States will respond to this with new measures. Russia will respond to U.S. measures. This means we have begun a war of sanctions and diplomatic stunts," said Lukyanov, adding that there will inevitably be an escalation of tensions.
The Russian Foreign Ministry statement came shortly after the U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill slapping tougher sanctions on Russia, two days after the bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bill will also grant the U.S. Congress the power to block President Donald Trump from unilaterally lifting sanctions on Russia. The bill will now be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law or veto.
According to Lukyanov, Trump will most likely sign the bill, and if he does not, the bill will still be passed as Congress is likely to overrule the presidential veto.
Despite this tit-for-tat, it is still possible for Moscow and Washington to cooperate, particularly on Syria, cyberspace, or on strategic stability, said Dmitry Suslov, a program director of the International Valdai Discussion Club Foundation.
"However, it is impossible to overcome the confrontational flywheel that began to spin under the Obama administration," he said.
