First deputy chairperson of the Defence and Security Committee of the Federation Council Franz Klintsevich told the Life outlet that Russia’s response to the Senate vote was “just the first steps.”
“No doubt, others will be taken,” the senator said, adding that some of Russia’s responses may be “unexpected.”
First deputy chairperson of the State Duma, Ivan Melnikov, responded to the Foreign Ministry’s statement saying: “Russia’s reaction [to the U.S. Senate vote] is absolutely correct. The measures look adequate: they are firm, yet there is some room left.”
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson told The Moscow Times in an emailed comment: “We have received the Russian government notification. Ambassador Tefft expressed his strong disappointment and protest. We have passed the notification back to Washington for review.”
The measures are in response to the White House’s decision in December last year to confiscate two Russian diplomatic compounds in New York and Maryland and expel 35 Russian diplomats from the country. The decision was taken in retaliation for Russia’s alleged hacking of institutions related to the U.S. presidential election.