US expels 60 Russian diplomats
President Trump ordered the expulsion of 60 alleged Russian intelligence officers in response to the poisoning of a former double agent in the UK.
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Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in the UK. Photo:Guardian. |
Trump administration officials say all 60 Russians are spies working in the United States under diplomatic cover, including 12 who work at Russia's mission to the United Nations. The 60 have seven days to leave the United States, according toNPR.
The White House also ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle, due to espionage concerns, because it is located near a naval base.
"The United States is taking coordinated action with our NATO allies and partners around the world in response to Russia's use of weapons-grade chemical weapons on British soil. This is the latest in its destabilizing behavior around the world.", a senior official ofUS government said.
The move comes after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in the English city of Salisbury on April 3. Britain accused Russia of being behind the attack, a claim Moscow has repeatedly denied. Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats, while Russia responded by expelling the same number of British diplomats.
Russia has also promised to retaliate against the US, saying Britain has failed to provide any evidence that Moscow was behind the poisoning.
