U.S. Plans to Close Last Two Consulates in Russia

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has informed Congress that it intends to close the last two remaining U.S. consulates in Russia, according to Sky News agency.

Last week, the US State Department told lawmakers that it would permanently close its consulate in Vlapostok, Russia's far east, and temporarily suspend operations at the consulate in Yekaterinburg, east of the Ural Mountains.

The notice was sent to Congress on December 10, but it received little attention at the time.

It is worth mentioning that, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, confirmed on Friday, that Russia is behind the ongoing massive cyberattacks that breached several US federal agencies and companies all over the world.

In an interview on Mark Levin Show, Pompeo said, “Now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity.”

Pompeo is now the first Trump administration official to pin the hack on Russia.

Pompeo’s remarks came after the announcement of Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, that the suspected Russian hacking campaign has focused on more than 40 institutions.