US Expels 60 Russian Diplomats, Shuts Seattle Consulate in Response to Nerve Agent Attack on Former Spy in Britain
The European Union, in the past week, came to the conclusion that Russia was most probably involved in the nerve agent attack against Skirpal in Salisbury, England on March 4.
Washington, Mar 26: United States President Donald Trump on Monday ordered the expulsion of at least 60 diplomats from Moscow in retaliation to the nerve agent attack allegedly perpetrated by Russia against one its former spy, Sergei Skripal, in Britain.
The Trump regime is also expected to order the closure of Russian consulate in Seattle. The action taken by Washington comes days after Trump congratulated Vladimir Putin on his fourth presidential win in Russia.
The European Union, in the past week, came to the conclusion that Russia was most probably involved in the nerve agent attack against Skirpal in Salisbury, England on March 4.
While the UK had already severed all diplomatic ties with Russia following the incident, other EU nations followed suit in the past couple of days, with Germany expelling four officials posted by Moscow on Saturday.
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland were also expected to dismiss the Russian diplomats today.
Skirpal, along with his daughter Yulia are currently being treated in London. Their condition was last reported to be critical.
Skirpal, once a top officer of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate, turned into a double agent for UK in 1995. He served for the Britain's Secret Intelligence Service till 2004, when he was arrested by Moscow.
Under a spy swap deal, he was brought back to UK in 2010 and granted the British citizenship.
Skirpal's daughter, however, is a Russian citizen. She had come to Britain to meet her father, when the duo were targeted with the nerve agent poison.
Russia has so far denied its role in the attack, calling it a ploy of the Britain. Foreign Minister Viktorovich Lavrov accused the UK of using "colonial-era tactics" to intimidate Moscow.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May, while addressing the Parliament on the nerve agent attack, said the investigators have gathered sufficient amount of evidence to prove Moscow's role.
"The chemical weapon used belongs to the Soviet-era," May said. Retaliating to the charge, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow is not using any kind of chemical weapon which are not in accordance with the international law.
"It is better to follow your own obligations in accordance with the international law, in this case with the Chemical Weapons Convention. And in general, speaking about manners, it's good to remember that the era of colonialism is a thing of the past," it said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2018 06:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).