Tensions between Russia and the Western international community deepened on Monday after the United States, European countries and their allies expelled dozens of Russian diplomats in the wake of a nerve attack on a former Russian agent earlier this month. The White House announced sweeping measures, including the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and the closing of the Russian consulate in Seattle, on Monday, the first in a co-ordinated wave of announcements across Europe yesterday. Of the 60 diplomats expelled from the US, 48 are Washington-based while 12 work at the United Nations in New York. Briefing reporters on the surprise announcement, White House officials accused the diplomats of engaging in the “aggressive collection” of intelligence on American soil. “Today’s extraordinary international response by our allies stands in history as the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever and will help defend our shared security,” British foreign secretary Boris Johnson tweeted.

Source: The Irish Times March 26, 2018 21:33 UTC