NATO boots Russians
Alliance joins wave of countries expelling diplomats after nerve- agent attack
LONDON — NATO on Tuesday joined a wave of countries and groups expelling Russian diplomats over the nerve- agent attack on a former spy in Britain. Russia denounced the actions as “boorish” and pledged to retaliate.
The mass expulsions were a show of solidarity for Britain, which blames Russia for the poisoning of ex- spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Moscow vehemently denies responsibility and has vowed a “tough response” to the expulsions.
More than 20 countries on Monday announced that theywere expelling a total of more than 130Russian diplomats, including 60 kicked out by the United States. Australia, Belgium, Ireland and Moldova joined them Tuesday.
NATO Secretary- General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance also would expel seven staffers from the Russian mission and deny the pending accreditation requests of three other workers at the Russian mission.
Stoltenberg said “we will continue to work for meaningful dialogue” with Russia, but added that the measure announced Tuesday should “send a very clear message to Russia that it has costs.”
“I actually think that Russia has underestimated the unity of NATO allies,” he said.
The White House said that President Donald Trump spoke Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the leaders “expressed support” for the expulsions and “praised” the announcement by others who have followed suit.
On Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his country was expelling two Russian diplomats whom he described as undeclared intelligence officers. They have been given seven days to leave Australia. Turnbull slammed Russia for “reckless and deliberate” conduct that he said harms global security and violates rules against the use of chemical weapons.
The Russian Embassy in Canberra said the decision was regrettable and jeopardized bilateral relationships.
“It is astonishing how easily the allies of Great Britain follow it blindly contrary to the norms of civilized bilateral dialogue and international relations, and against . . . common sense,” it said.
Ireland also announced it was ordering one Russian diplomat to leave. Foreign Minister Simon Coveney called the nerve- agent attack on Skripal and his daughter a “shocking and abhorrent” use of chemical weapons.
Belgium followed suit, saying it would expel one Russian diplomat.
And Moldova, the ex- Soviet nation whose pro- Western government is seeking closer ties with the West, on Tuesday also ordered three Russian diplomats to leave within days.
Bulgaria, which has so far refrained from ordering any Russians out, said it has recalled its ambassador to Moscow for “consultations.”