MOSCOW — The crisis between Russia and the West over the poisoning of a former double agent in Britain heightened Friday as Russia ordered new cuts to the number of British envoys in the country. The ministry escalated its response Friday, saying it has ordered Britain to reduce the number of its diplomats in Moscow to the level that Russia has in London. Bulgaria announced it would not expel any Russian diplomats. In a statement that reflects the soaring tensions, Moscow also accused Washington of trying to recruit the Russian diplomats it has expelled as spies. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the U.S. special services have engaged in “frantic efforts” to make co-operation offers to the expelled Russian diplomats.

Source: National Post March 30, 2018 09:39 UTC