Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decisions that the U.S. needs to remove 755 diplomats from the nation.

The Russian Foreign Ministry declared that, as of Sept. 1, the U.S. Embassy and consular personnel will be capped at 455, the number that Russia has in the United States. Putin said it means that the U.S. will have to cut 755 of its staff, calling the blow “painful.” Russia also announced the closure of a U.S. recreational compound and warehouse facilities.

The decision comes as the U.S. House of Representatives votes to pass a bill giving Congress the power to block any effort to weaken sanctions on Russia.

Online Vice President Mike Pence, who is currently in Northeastern Europe, took to Twitter about the announcement:


 

Putin also spoke out on Russian state television.

"I thought it was time for us to show that we will not leave this without an answer. As for other possible measures, or whether it is a lot or not, this is quite sensible from the point of view of the work of the diplomatic department, because a thousand or so employees — diplomats and technical workers have worked, and still work in Russia, 755 will have to stop their activities in the Russian Federation."

The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced it will seize two U.S. Diplomatic Properties effective Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Putin’s announcement Sunday came three days after the U.S. Congress approved sanctions against Russia.

Russian’s Foreign Ministry on Friday ordered a reduction by Sept. 1 in U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia to 455 people in response to a new package of American sanctions. The White House says President Donald Trump will sign those sanctions into law. The legislation bars the president from easing or waiving the penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees.

The sanctions, which also target Iran and North Korea, seek to punish Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.