The Trump administration on Monday ordered the expulsion of
60 Russian intelligence and diplomatic officers in New York and
Washington and the closure of the Russian Consulate in Seattle, joining
European allies in retaliation for the poisoning of a former Russian spy
in Britain.
Twelve Russian diplomats at the United Nations in
New York and 48 at the Russian Embassy in Washington face expulsion by
the U.S. government for what senior administration officials described
as covert intelligence operations that undermine U.S. national security.
The
U.S. government also ordered the Russian Consulate in Seattle closed by
April 2. Senior administration officials said they believe it has
served as a key outpost in Russia’s intelligence operations, in part
because of its proximity to a U.S. submarine base as well as Boeing
manufacturing facilities.
Monday’s actions were in response to
the March 4 nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England, which was blamed
on Russia and critically injured a former spy, Sergei Skripal, and his
daughter Yulia. The show of solidarity was especially notable because
Britain’s plan to leave the European Union has strained relations with
many of the country’s neighbors.
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