President of the Foundation for the Study of the United States at Moscow State University named after Lomonosov Yuri Rogulev believes that Washington could settle the situation with the work of American diplomatic missions in Russia if it went to meet Moscow halfway, but so far it is hardly worth counting on.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that as a result of the restrictions imposed on the hiring of foreign personnel, the United States will have to fire 182 local employees at its diplomatic facilities in Moscow, Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg
“The fact that now the embassy will be in a difficult situation is a predictable thing. But after all, this was announced in advance – that from August 1, they would have to dismiss Russian employees. For the American side, this will be a problem, since contacts with Russian organizations and bodies were handled by Russian citizens who worked at the embassy. Now they have to announce a competition, recruit employees who know Russian. Until all this is over, there will be problems at the embassy. But they knew about it in advance and could worry”, – he said in an interview with the agency.
He stressed that their position is understandable, but this is a mutual thing. Subject to steps towards meeting, all this can be settled.
“But so far we do not see any positive shifts from the United States, I mean on diplomatic and visa issues. I think that due to the fact that the US launched its anti-Russian campaign precisely on the initiative of the Democrats, it is hardly worth counting on a quick improvement”.
Rogulev also suggested that the Americans are counting on a negative effect from Russian citizens due to the inability to obtain a visa to the United States. There are quite a few contacts between Russians and Americans – both scientific, personal and professional, he pointed out.
“They probably think that citizens will criticize their own government, but they shouldn’t count on it”.
US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said earlier that the US Embassy from August 1 will not be able to provide consular services in full due to the demand of the Russian side to stop hiring personnel from Russia and third countries.