Washington, Sep 19 (IANS) The US State Department said Tuesday that it will shut down the USAID mission in Russia.
The announcement was made after Moscow informed Washington of its decision to end the activities of USAID in Russia, Xinhua reported.
Noting that Washington was proud of what USAID has done in Russia over the past two decades, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US wanted to continue its cooperation with Russian NGOs although the USAID's physical presence there would end.
Nuland told reporters that USAID spent about $2.7 billion in Russia since the end of the Soviet Union and its budget for Russia in the fiscal year 2012 is about $50 million.
Asked if she was disappointed by Russia's decision, Nuland said: "Obviously, this is a sovereign decision that any country makes."
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