U.S. media reveal that the United States intends to close the only two remaining consulates in Russia

U.S. media reported today that the outgoing Trump administration plans to close the two remaining U.S. consulates in Russia. Tensions between Washington and Moscow are rising as President-elect Joe Biden takes office.

CNN, citing a 10-day letter to Congress from the State Department, reported that the U.S. will close the Vladivostok consulate in the Russian Far East and suspend operations at the Yekaterinburg consulate.

Ten diplomatic staff from the two consulates will reportedly be transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, while 33 local employees at the consulates will lose their jobs.

Once these two consulates close, the U.S. diplomatic representation in Russia will be limited to the embassy in Moscow.