The US still has “tougher options” to respond to Russia in the “Skripal case”
The US still has a “tougher” backup plan to respond to Russia’s “involvement” in the “Skripal affair,” the Washington Post reported, citing two sources in the US intelligence community.
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| Seattle, USA. |
It is noted that US President Donald Trump's advisers proposed to Trump three potential responses, from which the US leader chose the "medium-strength" solution of expelling 60 Russian diplomats and closing the Russian Consulate in Seattle.
The "soft" option envisages expelling only about 30 diplomatic mission staff and maintaining the Russian consulate in Seattle.
The source did not say what the “toughest” response would be. One source claimed that US intelligence agencies appear to be aware of “more than 40 Russian spies” in the US, who have so far not been included in the expulsion list.
"If we press with all our might now, and the Russians really respond, then we will be more limited in our ability to act in the future. The medium-range option means striking a heavy blow, but at the same time we keep our fists ready. The president is in favor of such a medium-range option," an anonymous source told the Washington Post./.
