U.S. Sharply Curtails Visa Services in Russia<br />He added that the American argument that its diplomatic workers cannot issue the same number of visas with reduced staff disrespected the "capabilities<br />and possibilities of the American diplomatic service." Mr. Lavrov said the ministry was studying the matter and would have a response at a later date.<br />21, 2017<br />MOSCOW — The American diplomatic mission to Russia said Monday<br />that it planned to sharply reduce visa services because of Moscow’s order to cut its staff, the latest in a series of tit-for-tat penalties by the two countries.<br />"They have direct flights to the U.S., but, of course, few people will want to travel over the whole country to Moscow<br />to get a visa first," Irina Tyurina, a spokesman for the Russian Tourism Industry Union told the Interfax news agency.<br />In response, President Vladimir V. Putin ordered the United States Embassy to cut 755 positions in the country — roughly two-thirds — by Sept. 1.<br />" he said. that The American diplomatic school, diplomatic service, just as the Russian<br />one, has great traditions and experience in preparing professional staff,
