Russia responds tit-for-tat to expulsions of diplomats
MOSCOW — Russia on Thursday responded quid pro quo to the wave of western expulsions of Russian diplomats over the poisoning of an ex-spy and his daughter in Britain, while a hospital treating the pair said the woman is improving rapidly and is out of critical condition.
Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious and critically ill in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. British authorities blamed Russia for poisoning them with a military-grade nerve agent, accusations Russia has vehemently denied.
Two dozen countries, including the U.S., Canada, many EU nations and NATO, have ordered more than 150 Russian diplomats out this week in a show of solidarity with Britain — a massive action unseen even at the height of the Cold War.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced Thursday that Moscow will expel the same number of diplomats from each of those countries in retaliation.
Lavrov said Moscow will also retaliate to the U.S. decision to shut the Russian consulate in Seattle by closing the U.S. consulate in St. Petersburg.
Meanwhile, Salisbury NHS Trust said Thursday 33-yearold Yulia is “improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition. Her condition is now stable.”
Sergei Skripal, 66, remains in critical condition, the hospital said.