Russia, US standoff may worsen ties

Russia on Monday sought to justify its decision to purge US diplomatic personnel in the country, as the Kremlin appeared to give up on hopes of improving ties anytime soon under Donald Trump.

President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday US will have to cut its diplomatic mission in Russia by 755 employees, as Moscow struck back against new US sanctions.

“We have waited long enough, hoping the situation would perhaps change for the better,” the Kremlin strongman said. The US decried as “regrettable” Russia’s decision. A state department official said: “This is a regrettable and uncalled for act. We are assessing the impact of such a limitation and how we will respond to it.”