Russia expels over 50 more British diplomats
Russia has ordered the expulsion of over 50 more British diplomats in a dispute over the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in the United Kingdom.
On Friday, British Ambassador to Russia Laurie Bristow was again summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry and was told that London had one month to cut its diplomatic contingent in Russia to the same size as the Russian mission in Britain.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Reuters on Saturday that it meant Britain would have to cut “a little over 50” of its diplomats in Russia.
“We asked for parity. The Brits have [a little over] 50 diplomats more than the Russians,” she said.
Russia had already expelled 23 British diplomats to reciprocate the UK’s earlier expulsion of as many Russian diplomatic personnel.
Ties between Moscow and London hit a new low after Britain accused Russia of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, without offering any proof.
Russia has denied any involvement in the incident, which occurred on March 4 in the British city of Salisbury. The Skripals are being treated in a UK hospital.
The UK claims the nerve agent allegedly used in the poisoning was Novichok, which was developed in the former Soviet Union, basing its accusations against Moscow on that assertion.
Moscow says the substance could have originated in the countries studying Novichok, including the UK itself, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden.
Russia launches 'ICBM' for first time against Ukraine: Kiev
Russia lowers nuclear weapons threshold after US allows Ukraine to use missiles
Russia says Biden 'fueling' tensions by permitting Ukraine missile strikes
VIDEO | Jordanians continue rallies to denounce Israeli genocide in Gaza, Lebanon
6 Israeli soldiers commit suicide: Reports
Diplomat discourages recourse to pressure, intimidation, confrontation against Iran
UN: 2024 deadliest year for aid workers amid genocide in Gaza
Gaza health official warns of hospital shutdowns within 48 hours
Israel kills 5 more paramedics in southern Lebanon: Health ministry
Iran to launch ‘new, advanced’ centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: AEOI
Yemen fires hypersonic missile at Israeli airbase
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
