Putin says U.S. must cut 755 diplomatic staff

President Vladimir Putin said the United States would have to cut its diplomatic staff in Russia by 755 people and that Russia could consider imposing additional measures against the United States as a response to new U.S. sanctions approved by Congress.
Russian president Vladimir Putin saying Moscow will expel 755 U.S. diplomats and could impose additional measures against the United States in response to new U.S. sanctions against Russia.
The dramatic reduction announced by Putin during a Russian TV interview on Sunday, heightening U.S.-Russia tensions and coming on the heels of Congress passing new sanctions against Russia - which President Trump is expected to sign.
Vice President Mike Pence reaffirming that decision during an overseas trip Sunday.
SOT 'The President's made it very clear that Russia's destabilizing activities, its support for rogue regimes, its activities in Urkaine are unacceptable. And the President made it very clear that very soon he will sign the sanctions from the Congress of the United States to reinforce that.'
The new U.S. sanctions also coming in response to Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and to further punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Putin's announcement clarifies Russia's remarks on Friday that the U.S. has until Sept. 1 to reduce its diplomatic staff. 455 people can remain, matching the number of Russian diplomats left in the U.S. after Washington expelled 35 Russians in December.
Moscow also said it would seize two U.S. diplomatic properties.
Putin saying Sunday that Moscow was holding out hope that the situation with the U.S. would change, but adding, 'it appears that even if it changes someday it will not change soon.'