Russian President orders 755 US diplomatic staff to step down

     Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that 755 staff must leave US diplomatic missions, in retaliation for new US sanctions against Moscow.

   The decision to expel staff was made over the weekend, but President Putin has now confirmed the number who must go by 1 September 2017.
   It brings staff levels to 455, the same as Russia's complement in Washington. According to reports, this is thought to be the largest expulsion of diplomats from any country in modern history.
    The US said the move was a "regrettable and uncalled for act". President Putin did strike a conciliatory note, saying he did not want to impose more measures, but also said he could not see ties changing "anytime soon".