EXPULSION MARKS DETERIORATION IN TIES, SAYS U. S.

Washington, March 30: Russia’s expulsion of 60 US diplomats and shuttering of one of its consulates marks a “further deterioration” in relations between Washington and Moscow, the White House said on Thursday.

The US had ordered a similar number of diplomats from Russia to leave and the shuttering of one of its consulates as part of an international effort to isolate the country.

“Russia’s action to expel American diplomats marks a further deterioration in the US- Russia relationship,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. “Russia’s response was not unanticipated, and the US will deal with it,” she said. In all, more than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations.