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Russian ambassador comments on US demand to close three Russian diplomatic facilities

On Thursday, the US demanded that Russia close down three of its diplomatic facilities on the American territory

Russian Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov Sergei Karpov/TASS

Russian Ambassador to US Anatoly Antonov

© Sergei Karpov/TASS

WASHINGTON, August 31. /TASS/. It is important to clear up the situation surrounding Washington's new decisions on Russia's diplomatic missions in a cool-headed manner and without hysterics, the new Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov stressed on Thursday.

"We need a cool, clear-headed and professional course of action now," he told reporters upon arrival at the Dulles International Airport.

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US demands Russia close down 3 diplomatic facilities on American territory

"Speaking in Lenin’s words, we don’t need any hysterical fits," Antonov stated.

"My fellow diplomats and I will do our job professionally," he vowed.

On Thursday, the US demanded that Russia close down three of its diplomatic facilities on American soil, claiming the move stemmed from its willingness to maintain a diplomatic balance.

Heather Nauert, the official spokesman for the US Department of State, said in a written statement on Thursday the closure demand concerned the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco and cuts in Russia’s diplomatic presence in Washington and New York.

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