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Closure of Russian consulates, diplomatic staff cuts in Europe out of the question — MFA

Yevgeny Ivanov pointed out that Russia was not planning to increase its number of diplomats in Western countries

MOSCOW, October 19. /TASS/. Russia does not plan to close its consulates and cut its diplomatic staff in European countries, Russian State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov told reporters on Wednesday.

"No such plans, not yet," he said in response to a corresponding question.

The diplomat pointed out that Russia was not planning to increase its number of diplomats in Western countries.

"An increase is definitely out of the question. Now we have minimal numbers everywhere, while in certain European countries there are practically none remaining, except for the ambassador, and so on, so nothing can be slashed further there, only if we shut them [the diplomatic missions] down," Ivanov added.

In addition, the senior diplomat said that diplomats would be reoriented towards more popular countries, primarily in Asia, Africa and the CIS.

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