Russia’s Foreign Ministry is consulting with “experts” about the possibility of bringing a lawsuit against the United States for confiscating consular properties in San Francisco, Washington D.C. and New York.
“We’ve reached out to several of people who understand how these things are organized,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was cited as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.
Asked which court Moscow was planning to file the claim with, Lavrov referred to earlier comments made by President Vladimir Putin who said it would be at “the most just court in the world.”
“Theoretically, [this court] accepts claims from everyone,” Lavrov was cited as saying. The foreign minister would not give a timeframe, saying he was “not an expert on such matters.”
The White House has said President Donald Trump personally ordered the closure of the San Francisco consulate and annexes in Washington D.C. and New York.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry claims FBI officials searched the premises ahead of the Sept. 2 deadline. Russia was also being asked to sell the properties to the U.S., according to ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Speaking at the BRICS summit China on Tuesday Putin called the U.S. move “unprecedented,” adding he would instruct the Foreign Ministry to take the matter to court for the “violation of Russia’s property rights.”
“Let’s see how effective the widely praised American judicial system is,” he said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
