BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia
will retaliate in a reciprocal manner if the United States does not heed its
demands for a return of diplomatic assets, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said
on Tuesday.
"We hope that the United
States, as a country which promotes the rule of law, will respect its
international obligations," Lavrov told reporters after a meeting in
Brussels with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.
"If this does not happen,
if we see that this step is not seen as essential in Washington, then of course
we will take retaliatory measures. This is the law of diplomacy, the law of
international affairs, that reciprocity is the basis of all relations."
He declined to answer when
asked if that meant that Russia would expel U.S. diplomats and seize diplomatic
property.
Reporting by Alastair
Macdonald, editing by Robin Emmott
