Spy Poisoning: Russian Diplomats Expelled across US and Europe

In a co-ordinated response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK, the US and its European allies are expelling dozens of Russian diplomats, according to BBC.

It is said to be the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history.

Prime Minister Theresa May said 18 countries have aligned with the UK, expelling more than 100 diplomats.

Meanwhile, Russia, which denies any role in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in the southern England town of Salisbury, has vowed to retaliate to the “provocative gesture”.

Both Skripal and his daughter remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

EU leaders agreed last week it was highly likely Russia was behind the nerve-agent poisoning.

AFP reported that the US President Donald Trump has ordered the expulsion of 60 alleged Russian spies from the country, while BBC said undisclosed number of diplomats are also being expelled from 14 EU countries - alongside the UK which already made the move last month.

Mrs May said the show of solidarity gave a strong message.

“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,” a statement from Mrs May’s office said.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the “extraordinary international response by our allies stands in history as the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever”.