The Russian consulate in Seattle has been closed by order of the US authorities. The staff has decided not to take down the Russian flag, though, leaving it for the Americans to deal with, RT reports.
Having wrapped up their last day of work on Friday, the Seattle consulate staff gathered outside their office, rented in a 25-story office building, took a picture together, then removed the plaque with the consulate's name from the wall. They now have until April 2 to remove all papers and other items, as that is the date that access to the premises will be shut off.
The papers will be taken to the Consulate General, consul Valery Timashov's residence, which, unlike the office, is Russian property. From there, they will be spread out to other diplomatic missions across the US. The residence will have to be vacated as well, although the consul has until April 24 to do so.
Even as Russian diplomats vacate the buildings, the Russian flag displayed at the consul's residence will remain, Russian ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told journalists. "It's a decision of principle – we're not removing the flag. We are leaving the matter of the flag's safety to the decency of our American colleagues," Antonov said.
