Boost for Theresa May as global allies expel dozens of Russian diplomats over ex-spy attack
3 min read
UK allies from across the globe have announced the expulsion of more than 100 Russian diplomats following the Salisbury attack.
In a major boost for Theresa May, the United States said 60 Kremlin representatives would be forced out over the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal, while Canada has removed four.
EU Council President Donald Tusk said 14 member states had pledged to boot out diplomats including four each from Germany, France and Poland, three each from the Czech Republic and Lithuania, two each from Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark and one from Latvia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Kiev would expel 13 diplomats.
It comes days after the EU promised expulsions on the basis that it was "highly likely" Moscow was behind the attack earlier this month.
Addressing the media, Mr Tusk said further expulsions could follow.
“As a direct follow up to last week’s European Council decision to react to Russia within a common framework, already today 14 Member states have decided to expel Russian diplomats,” he said.
“Additional measures, including further expulsions within this common EU framework are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks."
The US state department said the attack was an "outrageous violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and breach of international law".
"On March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury,” they said in a statement.
"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."
Downing Street said: "We welcome today’s actions by our allies, which clearly demonstrate that we all stand shoulder to shoulder in sending the strongest signal to Russia that it cannot continue to flout international law."
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the move by friendly states showed Russia "can not act without impunity".
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat said the decision had meant a "good day for the British people".
Meanwhile Environment Secretary Michael Gove praised the “really significant achievement” of Mrs May and Mr Johnson in pushing the countries to take action.
It comes after the UK expelled 23 Russian diplomats thought to be spies - prompting Moscow to expel the same number of British mandarins.
Russia has vowed to respond to the latest expulsions with more of its own.
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