The United States has decided to close a Russian visa center with branches in Washington and New York, RIA news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov.

Despite this decision, American authorities assured that consular services would persist.

"Every day attacks are made against us," Antonov told reporters following the move. He noted that Washington did not give specific reasons for the closure.

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow will undertake relevant responsive measures.

(Cover: Red Square near St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower in central Moscow, Russia. /Reuters )