Civic Register
| 3.26.18

Russia Expels 60 U.S. Diplomats and Shuts Consulate

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UPDATE - March 30, 2018: Russia will expel 60 U.S. diplomats and close the U.S. Consulate in St. Petersburg, echoing a similar move by Washington.

  • Yesterday, the White House announced it was expelling 60 Russian diplomats, and closing the Russian embassy in Seattle, in response to the Moscow-linked poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain.

  • State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Moscow "should not be acting like a victim." She added:

"We don't see this as a diplomatic tit for tat."

—Josh Herman

Countable's original story appears below.

What’s the story?

In today’s dramatic turn of events regarding U.S.-Russia relations, the White House announced that it is expelling 60 Russian diplomats and their families, as well as closing the embassy in Seattle, in response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain.

The New York Times reports that among those being expelled are 12 people identified as Russian intelligence officers who have been stationed at the United Nations. All the 60 people named, and their families, have a week to leave the country.

The embassy in Seattle is being closed because of its proximity to a U.S. Naval base.

The action was, say White House officials, being made in concert with NATO allies. Poland is expelling the Russian ambassador there, as well as several other diplomats. Germany is also expelling four diplomats within the week. Britain previously expelled 23 Russian diplomats.

"Today’s actions make the United States safer by reducing Russia’s ability to spy on Americans and to conduct covert operations that threaten America’s national security," said the White House in a statement.

The Kremlin denies any connection to the poisoning.

What do you think?

Was this expulsion order the right thing to do? Does it change your sense of the administration’s relationship to Russia, or not? Is there more the administration should do to counter Russia interference in the U.S. and globally, or is this a strong enough statement? If there should be more action taken, what should that action be?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: kremlin.ru / Creative Commons)