“In case such measures are implemented, the Russian side will give an adequate response,” Zakharova said, commenting on the US decision to close the Russian visa center.

Earlier in the day, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told reporters that the US had notified Russian diplomats that both offices of the Russian visa center in the US — in Washington and New York — were closing.

Antonov also said that it deprived Russian diplomats of the possibility of not paying taxes in the United States. He also alleged that the U.S. authorities provided no explanation for their actions.

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