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| 18 nations expel 100 Russian diplomats over UK spy attack | | | Agencies
US President Donald Trump ordered 60 Russian diplomats his country considers spies to leave the country in response to the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian spy in the United Kingdom (UK) and closed Russia's consulate in Seattle, senior administration officials said Monday. Further, fourteen European Union countries announced they were expelling a total of 30 Russian diplomats in a coordinated international response, which is the biggest Western expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. Australia also announced that it would expel two Russian diplomats over the UK spy attack.
The expulsions are the most aggressive US move against Russia under Trump, who has sought a closer personal relationship with President Vladimir Putin while at the same time introducing new sanctions against people and entities with ties to the Kremlin.
The officials called the March 4 poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, an attack on America’s closest ally and a reckless attempt to murder a British citizen on British soil. They said there are more than 100 Russian intelligence agents undercover as diplomats in the US and described the number as unacceptable.
In total, 100 Russian diplomats are being expelled from 18 countries, reported Reuters. The report added that this was the biggest Western expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. According to Reuters, British Prime Minister Theresa May, welcoming the show of solidarity, said 18 countries had announced plans to expel Russian officials. Those included 14 European Union countries.
How many Russian diplomats are in the US?
There are currently more than 100 Russian intelligence officers in the US. With the expulsion of 60, about 40 would still be left, he acknowledged. The Trump administration declined to give details of the designation of those expelled. The 60 people expelled from the US include 48 attached to the Russian embassy and 12 at the country’s mission to the United Nations. They have seven days to leave the country, the officials said.
At least 14 European Union countries are preparing to take coordinated actions with the US in response to the UK attack, two people with knowledge of the decision said. The countries were expected to include Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the Czech Republic.
Germany has expelled four Russian diplomats, and other nations are following in rapid succession.
While US policy toward Russia has grown more aggressive in recent months, some Trump critics say he’s been slow to respond to Putin’s provocations.
Some have drawn a connection to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of possible collusion between Trump’s 2016 campaign and the Russian government, as well as Trump’s past business relationships with Russian figures.
Trump faced criticism last week for calling Putin to congratulate him on his re-election, a vote that observers said was marred by irregularities. After the call, Trump said he hoped to meet with Putin in the “not-too-distant future.” |
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