Russia’s Putin Won’t ‘Stoop’ to Obama’s Level

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not retaliate against the United States for President Obama throwing out 35 Russian diplomats and closing two diplomatic facilities in the U.S.

Putin said in a statement that while Russia had “every reason to respond” in-kind, he did not think it necessary or wise to “stoop to the level” of Obama’s “irresponsible diplomacy.”

Returning to their homeland, Russian diplomats will spend the New Year holidays with relatives and friends – at home. We will not create problems for American diplomats. We will not send anyone away. We will not prohibit their [American diplomats] families and children from going to their usual vacation spots during the New Year’s holiday. Moreover, all children of American diplomats accredited in Russia, I invite you to New Year’s and the Christmas tree in the Kremlin.

Instead, President Putin said that he looked forward to working with the incoming Trump administration and felt sorry for Obama.

“It is a pity that the President Obama administration completes its work this way, but, nevertheless, I congratulate him and his family a Happy New Year,” said Putin. “Congratulations to the American people for having elected President D. Trump!”