U.S. and Russia Had an Urgency Meeting over Restitution of Diplomatic Compounds

Kremlin can take it no more. The Russian presidential administration demanded the United States to bring two diplomatic compounds back under their possession. As a consequence, diplomats on behalf of the two parties met on Monday to settle the dispute by themselves. However, Moscow described the preconditions that the American representatives proposed for the deal as “daylight robbery.”

Barack Obama Ordered the Ceisure over the Two Russian Diplomatic Compounds Last Year

Last year, the United States took two diplomatic properties under its own control at the order of former President Barack Obama in December. The command included the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats as well. Obama considered taking such punitive measures in 2016 as Russia got involved in the U.S. presidential election campaign through hacking.

On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and U.S. Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon met to override Obama’s orders. The most ardent topic was the restitution of two Russian mansions. One of them is located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore while the other is outside New York City. The negotiations lasted for three hours and took place in Washington.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared such an order as against international law. As a consequence, it was not surprising for the Russian party to find U.S. preconditions as without any legal grounds in such conditions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavror saw no justification for American party demanding something in return for their diplomatic compounds. The estates enjoy the protection of an intergovernmental, bilateral, and ratified document.

The United States Has Some Requests for Russia as Well

Therefore, Mr. Tyabkov left the State Department at 5:45 p.m in great haste. He stated for journalists at location that the situation of the two dachas as Russia calls them was almost resolved. The United States seem to be willing to improve relationship with Russian nation under the new leadership of Donald Trump. However, this particular issue presented a lot of friction for such feeble connection in recent months.

On the other hand, Russia has to comply with several American requests in its turn to make way to a constructive collaboration. The United States wants Putin’s country to stop harassing U.S. diplomats and stop opposing American adoptions of Russian kids.

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