PUTIN THE PARIAH
NATIONS UNITE AGAINST RUSSIA 22 countries kick out Kremlin spooks over UK poisoning
GLOBAL support for Britain over the Salisbury poisoning last night grew, as 22 countries booted out Russian spies and diplomats.
It is the biggest mass expulsion of foreign officials in history and leaves Vladimir Putin increasingly isolated.
America ejected 60 and warned the tyrant, left: “When you attack our friends you face serious consequences.”
THE world rallied round Britain last night in a stark message to Vladimir Putin over the Salisbury poisoning of Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia.
Countries across the globe are booting out scores of Russian spies and diplomats in the wake of the nerve agent attack that also left a policeman in hospital.
America sent the biggest number packing, with 60 intelligence officials based in Washington and New York being given a week to leave.
The global response – in which 23 nations such as Australia, France and Canada joined the UK – is the largest expulsion of its kind in history and it leaves Putin isolated on the world stage.
But the Russian dictator hit back with the tit-for-tat removal of 60 US diplomats from Moscow, on top of the 23 Brits he’s already kicked out, as EastWest relations plunged to worrying depths unseen since the Cold War. Theresa May, who removed 23 Russian officials after Novichok poisoning left ex-spy Skripal, 66, and Yulia, 33, in comas, welcomed the worldwide support. She told the Commons: “This is the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history. “I have found great solidarity from our friends in the EU, North America, NATO and beyond over the past three weeks as we have confronted the aftermath of the Salisbury incident and together we have sent a message that we will not tolerate Russia’s continued attempts to flout international law and undermine our values.”
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: “After all the outrage and the provocation we have had from Russia, the countries of the world have come together in numbers far greater than Putin could possibly have imagined, and they are saying enough is enough.”
The White House, which is also closing the Russian Consulate General in Seattle,
accused Putin of carrying out an “ongoing pattern of destabilising activities around the world” – just days after Donald Trump congratulated him on his recent re-election.
Of the expulsions, it said: “The US takes this action in conjunction with our NATO allies and partners around the world in response to Russia’s use of a military-grade chemical weapon in the United Kingdom.
“With these steps, the US and our allies and partners make clear to Russia that its actions have consequences.”
A senior government official added: “Today we stand with America’s closest ally, the United Kingdom. To the Russian government, we say, ‘When you attack our friends you will face serious consequences. “Russia has shown malicious contempt for the sovereignty and security of countries.” Among the 60 Russians being kicked out of America, 12 are said to be spies. Aides said Mr Trump decided to send Putin a message about the “unacceptably high” number of Moscow intelligence operatives in the States. The White House added: “Today’s actions make the US safer by reducing Russia’s ability to spy on Americans.” Foreign minsters were ordered to draw up a set of tough measures to slap on the Kremlin. They are due to report back before June’s EU summit in Brussels.
VLADIMIR Putin must be realising now that he has miscalculated badly.
The largest expulsion of Russian spies in history demonstrates that Britain does not stand alone after the Salisbury poisonings.
The booting out of more than 100 intelligence officers by more than 20 countries is a blow to a President who loves to appear tough.
But he is the one left looking weak and isolated after the robust response by half of our European Union allies, plus the US, Canada, Norway, Ukraine and Albania.
The co-ordinated reaction illustrates the value of solidarity in Europe and beyond, underlining the crucial role of the EU and NATO when the chips are down.
Putin’s arrogant dismissal of evidence pointing to Moscow’s responsibility for an attempted assassination involving a weaponsgrade nerve agent was not smart and, for many, suggested the evasion of guilt.
This unprecedented global diplomatic reply will hopefully provide collective security.