Trump poised to kick out Russian diplomats
President advised to take tough line with Putin in ‘show of solidarity’ with UK over Salisbury attacks
Donald Trump is preparing to expel more than 20 Russian diplomats from the United States. The president could take action as soon as today following the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury. Britain has thrown out 23 Russians that the Government says were using diplomatic cover to spy on the UK and any actions by Mr Trump, who is facing pressure to take a tougher line on Russia, would represent a boost for Theresa May.
DONALD TRUMP is poised to expel more than 20 Russian diplomats from the United States in the wake of the poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury.
In a significant boost for Theresa May, the US president could take action as soon as today following the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.
Britain has thrown out 23 Russians that the Government says were using diplomatic cover to spy on the UK.
A US government spokesman said: “[We are considering] a range of options in response to Russia’s outrageous actions in the UK, both to demonstrate solidarity with our ally and to hold Russia accountable for its clear breach of international norms and agreements.”
Any move would come as Mr Trump faces pressure from both Republicans and Democrats to take a tougher line against Russia following its interference in the US elections in 2016.
Mr Trump, however, has refrained from criticising Vladimir Putin. In a phone call last week following Mr Putin’s re-election, Mr Trump did not mention the Salisbury poisoning.
Mrs May made significant progress in winning the support of European leaders at a summit last week. She discussed material gathered by MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, along with the findings of Porton Down scientists about the use of the Novichok nerve agent.
Mr Putin’s spokesman yesterday claimed that the UK’S assertion that Russia was behind the poisoning was “bordering on banditry”.
British officials are understood to be hopeful that Mr Trump will expel Russian diplomats in a show of solidarity. However, they are wary because Mr Trump and his officials have previously taken different positions on Russia.
According to CNN, the National Security Council recommended that he should expel Russian diplomats.
Meanwhile, the Polish government last week warned that Nato and the EU must check for Russian spies at their headquarters. Britain and its allies have become increasingly concerned about the activities of Russian delegates in both organisations.
A Whitehall source said: “There’s going to be a lot of close monitoring. There have been concerns about them and options are being looked at.”
Col Skripal and his daughter, who are being heavily sedated, may have permanent brain damage, it has emerged. Yulia, 33, is thought to have regained consciousness soon after being admitted to Salisbury District Hospital on March 4, before slipping back into a coma. Her father, Sergei, 66, remains unconscious.
Questions have been raised about whether he was still working alongside the British intelligence services after a member of the community told Channel 4 that, in recent years, he had given a lecture to UK special forces.
Col Skripal regularly dined with a well-dressed man believed to be his MI6 handler and gave lectures at military academies.
Sir Andrew Wood, former British ambassador to Russia, told Russian Spy Assassins: The Salisbury Attack, which will air tonight at 10pm on Channel 4, that it would be “unusual” for a handler and a spy to stay in touch.