The United States and its European allies are expelling dozens of Russian diplomats in a co-ordinated response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK – and this although there is no solid evidence on who is really behind the attack. It is said to be the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history. However, some countries refuse to join this remarkable show of solidarity. Greece, Austria, Portugal and New Zealand are among the countries with no intention to expel Russian diplomats. More than 20 countries have aligned with the UK, expelling more than 100 diplomats.
Russia vowed to retaliate to the “provocative gesture”.
Russia denies any role in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury, southern England. The pair 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.
Mrs May said: “President Putin’s regime is carrying out acts of aggression against our shared values and interests within our continent and beyond. And as a sovereign European democracy, the United Kingdom will stand shoulder to shoulder with the EU and with Nato to face down these threats together.”
The Russian foreign ministry said the moves demonstrated a continuation of a “confrontational path”.
“It goes without saying that this unfriendly act by this group of countries will not go without notice and we will react to it,” its statement said.
Countries announced they were making the same move in solidarity on Monday. These are:
- US: 60 diplomats
- EU countries: France (4); Germany (4); Poland (4); Czech Republic (3); Lithuania (3); Denmark (2); Netherlands (2); Italy (2); Spain (2); Estonia (1); Croatia (1); Finland (1); Hungary (1); Latvia (1); Romania (1); Sweden (1)
- Ukraine: 13
- Canada: 4, plus the rejection of 3 further applications from Russia
- Albania: 2
- Australia: 2
- Norway: 1
- FYROM: 1
Late Monday, Ireland said to expel a number of Russian diplomats in line with other EU countries.
EU countries that have said they have no intention of expelling diplomats include Austria, Greece and Portugal, although all have said they support the UK and condemn the poisoning.
On its part, New Zealand said…
New Zealand says it can't find Russian spies to expel
https://t.co/UR81HmclG9 pic.twitter.com/y3FB38luK7— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 27, 2018
Map chart via @JoDiGraphics
This is quite pathetic…in October 2016, Russian warships crossed our Portuguese waters on their way to Syria, where we alrerady know how they´re helping Bashar Al-assad kill his own people. No one prevented them. Then, some time ago, i read how Portugal purchased 6 Russian helicopters in order to help fight our fires, but turns out 5 of them weren´t operational at all(so, in the end, not really an investment, since we bought them and now have to pay the expenses of fixing 5 of them). Though i can understand some diplomatic precaution in some circumstances, Portugal being neutral after these shameful events is sheer stupidity; as if giving “spoilt children” more reinforcement of their nefarious behaviour.
I don’t know if laugh or cry at your comment.
The war in Syria is about a gas pipeline that Isreal want to pasd into Syria once they clean up the population.
So the only hope for syrians is the syrian government and Russia.
Since Russia is blocking the Greater Israel plan all the slaves countries owned by Rothschild are going with UK ridiculous story.
Sure you must be one that still believe to Saddam mass destruction weapons. Well look at the winners. They killed 2.5 million people and destroyed a country to avoid the demise of the petrodollar (same as Lybia).
Now that China launched the petroyuan, US, UK and all Rothschild controlled zombies countries are calling for war. Everything to save their precious ponzi scheme.