Trump set to expel Russian diplomats over spy poisoning

DONALD Trump is set to follow Theresa May’s lead by expelling dozens of Russian diplomats.

The US President is considering the move in response to the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in Salisbury earlier this month.

America’s National Security Council has recommended the expulsions, and Mr Trump could announce the move as soon as today. It follows Mrs May’s success in persuading the European Union to withdraw its ambassador to Moscow.

Up to 20 European countries, including Germany and France, are considering similar moves to expel Russian diplomats after Mrs May presented them with a British intelligence briefing in Brussels last week. It was the same evidence that failed to persuade Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to pin the blame on the Kremlin.

The British Government announced two weeks ago that 23 Russian diplomats would be sent home in response to the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia on March 4.

In a tit-for-tat move, Vladimir Putin responded by expelling the same number of British diplomats.

If Mr Trump follows suit, it will be seen as a diplomatic breakthrough for Mrs May, but presidential aides said he may wait until he is sure other European nations will do the same.

Mr Trump has been criticised for his perceived closeness to the Russian president. He even congratulated Mr Putin on his election

‘Outrageous action’

victory last week, even though there had been claims of vote rigging.

Raj Shah, the deputy White House press secretary, said yesterday: ‘ The United States stands firmly with the United Kingdom in condemning Russia’s outrageous action.’

He added: ‘The President is always considering options to hold Russia accountable in response to its malign activities. We have no announcements at this time.’

Mr Putin has described accusations that Russia was behind the attack as ‘delirium’.