US representatives searched the premises of former Russian consular offices in an attempt to find evidence of Russians engaging in prohibited activities, such as interfering with elections, the Ukrainian diplomat Bohdan Yaremenko wrote on Facebook.

Apparently, the Americans needed to conduct searches inside some of the buildings, free from Russian diplomatic protection. To accomplish this, they gave Russian diplomats insufficient time (only 2 days) for a complete pullout, depriving them of the opportunity to completely dismantle or hide traces of any illicit activity the Americans were interested in, Yaremenko wrote.

These activities might have included the recent, hasty destruction of documents during earlier Russian diplomatic missions.

The diplomat stressed that these buildings had immunity only as long as the Americans recognized them as a place of accommodation for diplomatic institutions. To that effect, Russian cries about raids and American arbitrariness are nothing more than information noise.

“When the premises ceased to be recognized by the Americans as the consulate general, department of the embassy or consulate general, they could enter them on the same grounds as entering any other premises in the United States," Yaremenko said.

He said even if Russia continued to use these buildings, the Americans could easily gain access and monitor the work of Russian diplomats.

Nevertheless, buildings that have been stripped of immunity remain in Russia's ownership. Russia can use them as they wish: to lease, sell, lock down, or do nothing at all. Russians may even try to continue using these premises for the workplace of diplomats. The only difference is that Americans will be able to get inside easily.

"Diplomats, of course, in this case would be treated with respect and would not be bothered. Americans would simply politely look over diplomats’ shoulder, to find out what are they doing there," Yaramenko noted.

  Russia, diplomatic property, USA, Consulate General

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