From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 26, 2018
US expels 60 Russian diplomats, shutters Seattle consulate
The Trump administration is expelling 60 Russian diplomats and orders Russia’s consulate in Seattle to close, as the United States and European nations sought to jointly punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain.
Senior Trump administration officials said all 60 Russians were spies working in the US under diplomatic cover, including a dozen at Russia’s mission to the United Nations. The officials say the administration was taking the action to send a message to Russia’s leaders about the “unacceptably high” number of Russian intelligence operatives in the US.
The expelled Russians will have seven days to leave the US, the officials say. They weren’t authorized to be identified by name and requested anonymity.
They added that the Seattle consulate is a counter-intelligence concern because of its proximity to a US Navy base.
The Times of Israel Community.