US slaps sanctions on Russia, expels 35 diplomats
Posted Dec 29, 2016 12:19 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WASHINGTON, DC. (NEWS 1130) – In an expected move, US President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia’s interference in the US presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.
The State Department also has kicked out 35 Russian diplomats from its embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the US. The diplomats were declared persona non grata for acting in a “manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status.”
This moves comes as Democrats and some Republicans in Congress are promising to pursue Russia’s role in hacking next year, even though president-elect Donald Trump has scoffed at a finding already made by US intelligence agencies that the Russian government was behind attacks and leaks on Democrats.
As a result, Obama says Russians will no longer have access to two Russian government-owned compounds in the United States, in Maryland and in New York.
Russian officials have denied the Obama administration’s accusation the Russian government was trying to influence the US presidential election. US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia’s goal was to help Donald Trump win — an assessment Trump has dismissed as ridiculous.
A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will consider retaliatory measures.
