Russia summons US diplomat amid visa dispute

Russia on Tuesday reportedly summoned the U.S.’s ambassador in Moscow to object after it claimed that the U.S. has denied visas to members of its delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. 

Russia said that Ambassador Jon Huntsman had been summoned to its foreign ministry in response to the visa issue, according to Reuters. The wire service noted that Russian news outlets said that Huntsman’s deputy went in his place.

{mosads}The Hill has reached out to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for comment.

The news outlet had previously reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York and would address the visa matter. 

A Kremlin spokesman has reportedly said the U.S.’s action merits a tough response from Russia and the U.N.

The reported visa denial follows Russia’s denial of visas to two U.S. senators, Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who planned to visit the country as part of a congressional delegation.