Russia demands U.S. to return diplomatic property seized under Obama
Russia has raised the issue of the return of Russian diplomatic property seized under the administration of the previous U.S. President, Barack Obama. This was purposely discussed during a telephone conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the conversation took place on April 21 at the initiative of the American side.
"Some issues on the bilateral agenda were considered. Lavrov re-emphasized the demand for the return of Russian diplomatic property illegally seized by the Obama Administration. The parties agreed on the early start of a joint working group at the level of deputy foreign ministers to find ways to eliminate “irritants” from bilateral relations, "the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
In late December 2016, the U.S. expelled 35 Russian diplomats and people close to them because their actions "did not correspond to their diplomatic status or the status of consular employees."
U.S. authorities closed access for Russian diplomats to their offices and residences in the states of Maryland and New York.