US to expel 60 Russian diplomats; Kremlin vows tit-for-tat measures

The United States will expel 48 Russian officials serving at Russia’s bilateral mission to the United States.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, "We will also require the Russian government to close its Consulate General in Seattle by April 2, 2018. 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, the spokesperson said, "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 United States."

She said on March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury. 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, the US has decided to expel Russian diplomats.

On March 4, #Russia attempted to murder a British citizen & his daughter w/ military-grade nerve agent on British soil. We stand in unbreakable solidarity w/ #UK. Today, we will expel 60 Russians from its bilat mission & mission to UN, & require Russia to close Seattle consulate. pic.twitter.com/S2wLjnZdDH

— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) March 26, 2018

The United States calls 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.

Skripal case

On March 4, former Russian military intelligence (GRU) Colonel Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and exchanged for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of a nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said the substance used in the attack had been a Novichok-class nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union. London expelled 23 Russian diplomats and announced other restrictive measures against Moscow.

Moscow rejected all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia. In retaliation to the UK’s steps, 23 British diplomats were expelled, the British consulate general in the city of St. Petersburg was closed and the British Council had to shut down its operations in Russia. At the same time, Moscow pointed out that further measures could be taken "should there be any more hostile actions against Russia.".

Kremlin vows tit-for-tat action

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has reported that the Kremlin regrets some countries’ decision to eject Russian diplomats. Russia will respond to it based on the principle of reciprocity, he said.

"We deeply regret the taken decisions. The so-called Skripal case is said to be the reason. We already stated and reconfirm that Russia has never had any relation to this case. We will be guided by the principle of reciprocity as before," Peskov told reporters.

Russia will analyze the situation following decisions by the United States, a number of EU members and some other countries to expel Russian diplomats, Peskov told the media, adding that the Foreign Ministry would eventually submit proposed retaliatory measures to Vladimir Putin for consideration.