US Orders Russia to Close San Francisco Consulate

The United States has ordered Russia to shut down its consulate in San Francisco.

The move is seen as a retaliation against Russia's expulsion of U.S. diplomats earlier this year, USA Today reported.

Russia threw out more than 700 American diplomats after U.S. sanctions were imposed after President Donald Trump reluctantly signed a sanction law passed by Congress, Fox News reported.

The latest U.S. action also will reduce the number of Russians in the Washington, D.C. embassy and New York consulate, according to USA Today.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the move brings the U.S. and Russia into "parity," with each having three consulates in each other's country. She said Russia must comply with the U.S. orders by Sept. 2.

"The United States hopes that, having moved toward the Russian Federation's desire for parity, we can avoid further retaliatory actions by both sides and move forward to achieve the stated goal of both of our presidents: improved relations between our two counties and increased cooperation on areas of mutual concern.

"The United States is prepared to take further action as necessary and as warranted."

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