U.S. Orders Russia to Close Consulate in San Francisco

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

August 31, 2017, 9:44 PM (IDT)

The Trump administration on Thursday ordered Russia to close its consulate in San Francisco and two diplomatic annexes, in New York and Washington, retaliating against Russia’s order for the United States to reduce the United States embassy staff in Moscow by 755 people.

Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson informed Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, of the tit-for-tat move in a phone call on Thursday morning.

In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said Mr. Lavrov “expressed regret at the escalation of tension in bilateral relations,” and said the Russian government would study the move before deciding how to respond.

The Russian consulate annex in Washington, D.C.

The Russian consulate annex in Manhattan. (ANDREW SAVULICH/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

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