Zakharova: US visa delays just another attempt to put pressure on Moscow

The time period for issuing US visas for Russian citizens has increased significantly in recent months in a move intended to exert more pressure on Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokesperson Maria Zakharova said

"Funny enough, the time period for issuing a US visa has increased several times in the past 4-5 months. Previously, the visa interview took place approximately ten days after all documents have been submitted. Now, visa interviews begin after about a month and a half," Zakharova said in a Rossiya 1 TV channel broadcast..

She added that attempts to explain the longer time period for issuing a US visa by Russia’s move to cut the permitted number of US diplomats on its territory were made as a result of "domestic political struggle" in the United States.

"We understand perfectly well that this is a kind of intimidation, a kind of pressure being put on the Russian side," the spokesperson stressed.