Putin demands that 755 US diplomats leave Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that 755 US diplomats have to leave Russia in response to the US bill toughening anti-Russian sanctions.

In an interview with state television, VGTRK, the Russian President demanded that the United States reduce its diplomatic personnel in Russia nearly three-fold.

"Out of more than a thousand of the employees, diplomats and technical staff, who have been and are still working in Russia, 755 will have to finish their work in Russia," he said.

"We have been waiting for quite a long time for any positive changes [in the United States’ attitudes to Russia], we have hoped that the situation will change somehow. But, to all appearances, even if it ever changes, it will not be soon," he explained, before adding, "I thought we must demonstrate that we are not going to leave anything unanswered either."

Nevertheless, the Russian leader stressed that Russia and the United States have areas where cooperation is very important. "There are very important spheres of cooperation, including non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction - and here we are playing the first violin, along with the Unites States, and strengthening of this regime, as well as fighting against terrorism," he said.