Russian Diplomats Expelled From 10 EU Countries
As a result of the attack using a deadly poison on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the United Kingdom, 10 European Union member states will expel Russian diplomats beginning next week.
The first countries to declare support for the U.K. and Prime Minister Theresa May where Germany and France. French President Emmanuel Macron declaring that the attack was “…an aggression against the security and the saovereignty of an ally, today a member of the European Union, which demands a reaction.”
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is currently investigating the attacks, however a summit of EU leaders has already concluded that Russia was behind the attacks with Macron doubting that the investigation would change the consensus.
European Union member states committed to expelling Russian diplomats and intelligence agents include the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Germany and France.
Even Italy, known for being on the fence and hesitant to ruffle any diplomatic feathers while being closer to Moscow than most EU members, has seen Europe minister Sandro Gozi call for action against Russia.
European Council President Donald Tusk stated that there will be more retaliation for the attacks that lead to the Skripals’ hospitalization, and said “As a result of our decision yesterday I expect a number of member states will take additional measures against Russia on Monday. It is not the end of our actions.”
Russia continues to adamantly deny the attacks that utilized the extremely lethal and horrifying nerve gas Novichok (“newcomer”) in the British city of Salisbury earlier this month.
