Russian president Vladimir Putin has ordered 755 US diplomatic and technical staff to leave the country amid tensions with the US over sanctions.
Russia has issued a deadline of September 1 to allow the US workers to get out of the country.
Staff in embassies in Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Vladivostok and St Petersburg will be affected by the change of heart by Mr Putin.
It comes in response to US sanctions voted through by both houses of Congress despite White House objection to the terms.
Speaking to state run Media, Mr Putin said: “Because the American side has undertaken nothing unprovoked, which is very important, a step in the deterioration of Russian-American relations: on illegal restrictions, on trying to influence other countries of the world, including its allies who are interested in developing and maintaining relations with the Russian Federation .
“We waited for quite some time that maybe something would change for the better, fueled such a hope that the situation would somehow change.
But, judging by everything, if it changes, it will not be soon. I’m not talking about any internal political reasons inside the United States itself.
“But we must, I figured, show that we will not leave anything without an answer.”
The Russian president added: “As for other possible measures, or whether it is a lot or not, from the point of view of the work of the diplomatic department this is quite sensitive.
“Because more than a thousand employees – diplomats and technical workers – have worked, are still working in Russia, 755 will have to cease their activities in the Russian Federation.
“It’s sensitive. The question is whether or not we need to do more and what set we have.
“We have a small volume of trade and economic ties with the United States. It does not compare with the volume of trade relations, say, with China, with the countries of the European Union, with many other countries of the world.
“The possibilities are great, but due to various circumstances the volume is small.”