US destroys relations with Moscow

Washingon deliberately destroys relations with Moscow, the Russian Foreing Ministry stated on Thursday commenting on removal of Russian flags from Russian diplomatic missions in the US, reported Sputnik.

People walk past the Consulate-General of Russia in San Francisco, California on December 29, 2016.

Earlier, Russian flags were removed from the buildings of the Consulate General in San Francisco and the Trade Representation in Washington, DC.

Russia vehemently opposes the US move to take down Russian flags from its ceased diplomatic properties in San Francisco, the Russian embassy in Washington, DC said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Russia sent a protest note to the American side with respect to the removal of Russian flags from the diplomatic properties in San Francisco, which are now under the control of the US authorities," the statement said.

Russia considers such a move as an "extremely unfriendly step," and demands an immediate return of the flags, the embassy added.

Commenting on the situation, a US Department of State official told that Russian flags were "respectfully" lowered by US officials at former Russian properties in Washington, DC and San Francisco, when the buildings were closed.

"The flags at the former Russian consular properties in San Francisco were respectfully lowered and are safely stored within each of the buildings," the official said on Wednesday. "The flag at the former Russian Washington, DC property was also taken down and is safely stored within the building."