U.S. sets terms and conditions on giving back Russia its diplomatic compounds

The United States has said that it will give Russia its diplomatic properties back, almost a year after they were seized over Moscow's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections

According to Sputnik, a senior official from the White House said Washington is going to give back Russia's diplomatic properties only under the condition that it will receive something in return from Moscow.

The news comes in the wake of the meeting between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon.

Earlier on Friday, the Russian Foreign Ministry asserted that the country was prepared to banish American diplomats if the U.S. does not undo its decision to expel 35 Russian diplomats and block access to Russian diplomatic estates.

In December, former US President Barack Obama ordered the removal of 35 Russians suspected of being spies after American intelligence agencies concluded that Russia had tried to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.