Russia’s PM mocks Obama with grim ‘RIP’ tweet as Kremlin delays booting out US officials over hacking row
Dmitry Medvedev posted ‘Rest in Peace’ to the Obama administration as boss Vladimir Putin said he would wait to speak to Donald Trump before he decided what action to take
RUSSIA’S Prime Minister has openly mocked Barack Obama with a grim ‘RIP’ tweet as the Kremlin delayed booting out US officials over the election hacking row.
Dmitry Medvedev posted ‘Rest in Peace’ to the Obama administration as boss Vladimir Putin said he would wait to speak to Donald Trump before deciding what action to take over the diplomatic spat.
Mr Medvedev wrote on his Facebook page: “It is sad that the Obama administration, which began its political life by restoring co-operation with Russia, is ending it today with anti-Russian death throes. RIP.”
It came as President Putin refused a request from his own foreign ministers to carry out a tit-for-tat expulsion of US diplomats.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had proposed expelling 35 officials in revenge after outgoing President Barack Obama ordered the expulsions and sanctions on Thursday.
Instead the Russian President invited American children to visit the Kremlin Christmas tree saying her would wait to take further steps once President Elect Trump was installed in the White House.
In an unexpected statement he said: “We are not going to create problems for American diplomats. We are not going to expel anyone.
“We won’t prevent their families and children using their usual places of recreation during the new year holidays.
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“What’s more, I invite all the children of American diplomats accredited in Russia to the Kremlin to [see] the New Year and Christmas tree,” he went on.
Mr Putin said the 35 Russians ordered to leave the US within 72 hours would spend New Year with their relatives and loved ones at home.
