The U.S. said its expulsion of 60 Russian envoys was a demonstration of its unbreakable solidarity with its most important Ally, the UK.
The U.S. in a statement by Heather Nauert, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said it was “holding Russia accountable for its destabilising behaviour”.
The U.S. regretted that on March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury.
The statement said: “This attack on our Ally the United Kingdom put countless innocent lives at risk and resulted in serious injury to three people, including a police officer.
“In response to this outrageous violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and breach of international law, today the United States will expel 48 Russian officials serving at Russia’s bilateral mission to the United States.
“We will also require the Russian government to close its Consulate General in Seattle by April 2.
“We take these actions to demonstrate our unbreakable solidarity with the United Kingdom, and to impose serious consequences on Russia for its continued violations of international norms.
“Separately, we have begun the process of expelling 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission to the United Nations who have abused their privilege of residence in the U. S.”
The U.S. called on Russia to accept responsibility for its actions and to demonstrate to the world that it is capable of living up to its international commitments and responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council to uphold international peace and security.
NAN reports that Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has adamantly denied any Russian state involvement in the incident.
Earlier in the day, European Council President Donald Tusk announced that 14 EU member states decided to expel Russian diplomats over the poisoning of Skripal.
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