US orders Russia to shut consulate, two annexes
What's the story
The diplomatic tit-for-tat between America and Russia isn't ending anytime soon.
The US State Department has ordered Russia to close its consulate in San Francisco and two trade missions in New York and Washington.
The move is in response to Moscow's "unwarranted" reduction of US diplomatic staff in Russia.
Russia's decision was, in turn, a response to additional US sanctions.
31 Jul 2017
Putin responds to US sanctions, expels 755 American diplomatic staff
On July 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin retaliated against fresh US sanctions by announcing that 755 staff members must quit US diplomatic missions by September 1.
This would bring the total US staff in Russia to 455, same as Moscow's complement in America.
The BBC's Laura Bicker said this is believed to be the largest expulsion of diplomats from any country in modern history.
What transpired?
US move corresponds with Russia's expulsion deadline to American diplomats
The American diplomats being expelled by Moscow have until September 1 to leave Russia.
Correspondingly, the closures of the Russian consulate and two annexes, both trade missions, in the US must be completed by September 2.
Washington hasn't ordered any Russian staff to leave the country, a US official said.
Russia will be permitted to maintain the properties, but can't use them.
US statement
US says decision was "in the spirit of parity"
The State Department said its decision was "in the spirit of parity."
It said now both Russia and the US house three consulates of the other in their respective nations.
It blamed Russia for the downward spiral in bilateral relations.
Bilateral ties took a hit over Russia's annexation of Crimea and its alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
Information
Russia responds
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed "regret at the escalation of tensions in bilateral relations" during a phone call with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Lavrov said Russia would study the US order and act accordingly.