The US authorities will review the working conditions of their diplomats in Russia. They intend to completely close the consulates general in Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, Kommersant reports, citing diplomatic sources.
In March 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the US Consulate General in Vladivostok suspended operations. This decision was explained by concern for the health of employees. The work was planned to be restored after the epidemiological situation improved.
Since March, the US Consulate in Yekaterinburg has been providing only those services related to emergency situations. The US Embassy in Moscow and the US Consular Agency in Sakhalin operate in the same manner.
At the same time, the representative of the US General Counsel in Vladivostok said that he did not yet have information about a possible closure, RIA Novosti reports.
In July, the United States demanded that China close its consulate general in Houston. The State Department explained that this is necessary to protect American intellectual property. Beijing called the decision a political mistake.
