(VOVworld)- A total of 96 Russian diplomats and their family members will have to leave the US, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

A Russian compound, which was ordered to be closed and vacated, is seen in Upper Brookville, Long Island, N.Y., Dec. 30, 2016. REUTERS/Rashid Umar Abbasi

Ms. Zakharovasaid the expulsion of the Russia diplomats is a retaliatory act for policy failure of President Barack Obama. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for refraining from retaliation in a dispute over Moscow's alleged interference into the US Presidential election. Putin earlier on Friday said he would not hit back for the U.S. expulsion of 35 suspected Russian spies.