MOSCOW, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Moscow's patience is running out over the return of Russian diplomatic compounds in the United States shut down by the Obama administration, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.
"The situation is unprecedented from the perspectives of both bilateral relations and international law," Peskov said during his daily briefing.
Russia can not tolerate this situation for long without taking reciprocal measures, said the spokesman, adding that Moscow, at the same time, expects Washington to show political will and "rectify the violations of international law."
Also on Wednesday, the Russian Federation Council (upper house of the parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko warned that Russia will "respond appropriately" to the U.S. seizure of its properties if diplomatic efforts fail.
Russia's Izvestia newspaper reported Tuesday that Moscow plans to expel some 30 U.S. diplomats and seize several U.S. properties in Russia, citing a foreign ministry source.
Two retreats in New York and Maryland used by Russian diplomats for recreation and receptions were closed by the Obama administration in late December over accusations of alleged Russian hacking in connection with the 2016 presidential election.
Moscow has repeatedly demanded the return of the properties, and the issue became hot again after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump held their first meeting last week in Germany.
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will meet next Monday in Washington to discuss the seized compounds.
