Russia expels US diplomats in tit-for-tat measure

30 March 2018 08:22 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Russia has expelled 60 US diplomats and closed the country's St Petersburg consulate in a tit-for-tat response to US action over a spy poisoning case in the UK.

The moves were announced by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

It comes amid a row over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in southern England.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench in the city of Salisbury on 4 March.

The UK government has blamed Russia for the attack.

More than 20 countries have expelled Russian envoys in solidarity with the UK. Among them is the US, which earlier this week ordered 60 diplomats to leave and closed the Russian consulate general in Seattle.

In response Russia declared 58 US diplomats in Moscow and two in the city of Yekaterinburg to be "persona non grata", the Interfax news agency reported. Mr Lavrov said other countries that expelled Russians could expect Moscow to respond in kind.

Mr Lavrov said the US ambassador had been informed of the "retaliatory measures", including "the expulsion of the equivalent number of diplomats and our decision to withdraw permission for the functioning of the US consulate general in Saint Petersburg".

Later, a US state department spokeswoman said Russia's actions showed it was not interested in good relations with other countries and the US reserved the right to take further action.

"Russia has decided to further isolate itself. We're reviewing options," Heather Nauert told reporters.

Russia has vehemently denied any role in the Salisbury attack. Mr Skripal remains in a critical but stable condition. His daughter's condition is said to be improving - separate sources told BBC that Ms Skripal was conscious and talking. (Radionz)

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Comments - 12

ravin Friday, 30 March 2018 08:47 AM

Tit for tat is the only language US understand the way north Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un proves.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 30 March 2018 09:06 AM

It is astonishing to see that countries like Russia and China who have a horrible record on human rights are members of the security council while flourishing democracies such as India, Finland, Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand are not.

Lord Wolfstein Friday, 30 March 2018 09:41 AM

Why Sri Lanka do not expel Russian Diplomats? Is the tea business about worth more than a nerve poison attack from a dictatorship on a democratic country.

sunil Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:38 PM

even USA involved in several attacks which a huge number of lives are taken away.. and still it's continuing..

rajitha7 Friday, 30 March 2018 09:52 AM

There is no happiness even if it's the so-called "developed world". It's a never-ending struggle due to delusion, greed, and hatred. The path to true liberation and peace has emerged in Sri Lanka quite recently. It's there to those who seek with a clear mind.

V.D.Gama Friday, 30 March 2018 10:47 AM

In the present context of political arena, it is most appropriate to shift the UN head quarters to a " historically Neutral Country" like Switzerland to maintain global peace.

Dinapala Friday, 30 March 2018 01:16 PM

Proud of the Russian Foreign Minister who speaks Sinhala admirably.

Ravi Silva Friday, 30 March 2018 04:32 PM

Very good action. Time US taught good lesson. Trump man quite ill educated and crude leader.

Shari Seniviratne Friday, 30 March 2018 04:33 PM

Good actions. US never learns lessons.

Desh Friday, 30 March 2018 07:46 PM

Putin is a great leader. Don't bend down to the mafia which is destroying so many poor countries worldwide.

Kerching Saturday, 31 March 2018 04:06 PM

You really do demonstrate stupidity on a monumental scale ...backing yet another dictator

Herath Saturday, 31 March 2018 07:07 PM

Buffalocitizen and the lunatic Lord Wolfstein are plainly anti Sri Lankan yet your paper gives their comments frequent coverage. I am asking you as an expatriate Patriotic Sri Lankan that you stop these enemy agents of India from making any comments in your papers.If you allow them in the future I have to assume that there are dangerous traitors working at the Daily Mirror.Take my patriotic request seriously.

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Russia expels US diplomats in tit-for-tat measure

Comments - 12

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