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More European countries have joined the UK, US and Germany, in announcing the expulsion of Russian diplomats in their respective countries over the ex-spy poisonong case in the UK.
European Council President Donald Tusk said on Monday that 14 EU member states have decided to expel Russian diplomats in response to Russia’s alleged role in the use of a military grade nerve agent to poison a former double agent, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, on UK soil – Salisbury to be precise.
Russia has since denied the allegation asking the UK to produce samples of the substances allegedly used.
Below are the list of countries and the number of Russian diplomats being expelled.
United States – 60
Canada – 4
Germany – 4
Poland – 4
Lithuania – 3
France – 4
Latvia – 1
Netherlands -2
Denmark – 2
Ukraine – 13
Czech Republic – 3
Italy – 2
Estonia – 1
Finland – 1
Croatia – 1
Romania – 1
Canada said the expelled diplomats have been identified as intelligence officers or individuals who used diplomatic status to undermine security or interfere in Canada’s democracy.
Apart from expelling three diplomats, Luthuania said it is banning 44 people from entering the country.
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Theresa May said she “welcomes the action by our allies” and it demonstrates “we stand shoulder to shoulder in sending the strongest signal to Russia that it cannot continue to flout international law”