Moscow today charged Washington had put "colossal pressure" on allies to expel scores of Russian diplomats, and vowed to retaliate.
"This is the result of colossal pressure, colossal blackmail which is the main instrument of Washington on the international arena," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Uzbekistan.
"We'll respond, have no doubt! No one wants to put up with such loutish behaviour and we won't."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content