Russian diplomat: no legal obstacle to reopening US consulate in Vladivostok

Russian diplomat Yevgeny Volosastov said there is no legal obstacle to the US reopening its consulate in Vladivostok, adding that the decision rests with Washington.

Scraper SystemJuly 01, 2026, 09:38 AM

Russian diplomat: no legal obstacle to reopening US consulate in Vladivostok

Yevgeny Volosastov, the acting representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Vladivostok, said there is no legal obstacle to the US reopening its consulate in Vladivostok. In an interview with RIA Novosti, Volosastov stated that the process depends on a decision by Washington.

The diplomat noted that the US itself decided to close the consulate in 2021, citing cost as a factor. He said the Washington administration took this step due to the high maintenance costs of the consulate.

Stressing that there are no legal prohibitions or barriers, Volosastov said: "There are no legal bans or obstacles to the consulate resuming operations. Moreover, on the website of the US embassy in Russia, the Vladivostok consulate, like the one in Yekaterinburg, is not listed as closed but as 'suspended in operation'."

The Russian diplomat emphasized that the ball is entirely in the American side's court regarding the realization of this potential opportunity.