Putin blocks tit-for-tat move to expel US diplomats
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday blocked a proposal by the country's Foreign Ministry to expel 35 US diplomats in retaliation for the fresh sanctions and expulsion of Russian diplomats from the US. Adding that Russia would work to restore ties with the US under President-elect Donald Trump, Putin said Russia would not "stoop" to the level of "irresponsible diplomacy".