WASHINGTON, February 9. /TASS/. Russia is ready to assist the US in establishing the required Moscow embassy structure it needs, but on an equal basis, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov told journalists Wednesday.

"We told them that we are ready to assist the US colleagues in forming the kind of embassy structure that they need, but there will be no […] automatic approach. We are ready to work on an equal basis," he said.

Meanwhile, the envoy underscored that the US currently only issues visas for Russian diplomats in exchange for visas for their own employees, while demanding visa for themselves without any exchanges.

"The Americans reduce our presence here and do not always issue visas. And when they do, they do it in exchange for visas for their own employees. Meanwhile, it is important that the Americans often demand visas for themselves without any exchanges," he noted.

The ambassador called on the US side to resolve the visa issues and allow the diplomats to work normally, including on the issues of international security.

"Russian diplomatic missions in Washington, New York, Houston are being reduced. Therefore, Moscow takes reciprocal measures: American diplomats go home," Antonov said. "We are firmly convinced that nothing good will come out of this. Whenever diplomatic mission are being reduced, when one or another side inflicts a blow to the diplomatic presence, these are the most counterproductive steps."

"Diplomats are the people who organize a dialogue and seek to find resolutions in international security. And the best option is to leave them alone and let them work normally, peacefully," he underscored.