Russia warns US of response if its property is not returned
18 July 2017 6:07 PM GMT
Russia has described any possible conditions set by Washington to return two of the country's diplomatic compounds in the US that were closed down late last year as "unacceptable."
The two compounds, in New York State and Maryland, have sat empty since then-President Barack Obama closed them in December as part of sanctions imposed against the Russian government for its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
"We have repeatedly said that we think any conditions are unacceptable. We think that the diplomatic property must be returned without any conditions and talks," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN Monday.
"What is happening is —de facto and de jure—a violation of international law," he said. "Contacts are happening between the foreign policy departments. Kremlin, as it is, does not really participate but as you know this issue was raised by
President [Vladimir] Putin during his G20 meeting with President Trump in a quite straightforward manner."
When asked about the dispute in a White House briefing, Press Secretary Sean Spicer referred reporters to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who Spicer claimed had been "having discussions." Spicer did not say whom Tillerson had been having discussions with. AGENCIES
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