But the State Department did not directly admit that Sullivan was returning to the United States on Russia’s recommendation.
According to TASS, the US ambassador to the Russian Federation is returning home to hold consultations with the administration, take a break to see his family. At the same time, the head of the press service of the State Department, Ned Price, on Tuesday did not directly admit that the US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan was returning home for consultations on the recommendation of Moscow in connection with the aggravation of bilateral relations.
“Look, I will allow the Russian government to come up with any advice they give the ambassador. He is returning home to consult with the administration, take a break to see his family”, – said a US foreign policy official.
Answering questions about the consultations of the American ambassador to the Russian Foreign Ministry, he stressed that Sullivan “was not expelled”.
“The ambassador was not ordered to leave the country. The ambassador is returning now at an opportune time to hold consultations here to see his family. I expect that in the coming weeks he will return to Moscow again”, – the diplomat repeated.
“This is, of course, the right time for the ambassador to return. He is an integral part of the team as the new administration seeks to shape a new approach to Moscow, as we have been involved in the policy planning process for actions that have been taken in recent weeks, including sanctions, including what you saw last week. And now, with all this behind us, it is a good time for the ambassador to return to hold these consultations so that he can see his family. No doubt important, and I expect him to return to Moscow in the coming weeks”.
As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference on April 16, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, at a meeting with Sullivan, recommended that he go to Washington for consultations.