US and European Allies Expel Dozens Of Russian Diplomats

The United States together with its European allies have expelled dozens of diplomats in a co-ordinated response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy on UK soil. 

It is believed to be the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever, with twenty-one country aligning with the United Kingdom and expelling over 100 diplomats. 

Russia vowed to retaliation to this “provocative measure”.

The Kremlin strongly denies any role in the attack against Sergei Skirpal and his daughter, Yulia, both of whom remain in critical condition in hospital. 

Last week, EU leaders agreed that it was highly like that Russia was responsible for the nerve-agent poisoning.

"President Putin's regime is carrying out acts of aggression against our shared values and interests within our continent and beyond.

And as a sovereign European democracy, the United Kingdom will stand shoulder to shoulder with the EU and with Nato to face down these threats together,” UK Prime Minister Theresa May said. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson praised the “extraordinary international response” of the United Kingdom’s allies. 

In terms of numbers, here is the list of the number of diplomats expelled by countries according to the BBC: 

UK: 23
US: 60
EU countries: France (4); Germany (4); Poland (4); Czech Republic (3); Lithuania (3); Denmark (2); Netherlands (2); Italy (2); Spain (2); Estonia (1); Croatia (1); Finland (1); Hungary (1); Latvia (1); Romania (1); Sweden (1);

Ukraine: 13

Canada: 4, plus the rejection of 3 further applications from Russia

Albania: 2

Norway: 1

by Máté Földi

Photo: Foreign Policy Journal