Russia expels 150 diplomats in retaliatory move

Russia announced late Thursday it will close a U.S. consulate and expel more than 150 diplomats, including 60 Americans. The retaliatory move comes after two dozen Western nations expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats in solidarity with Britain over the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia will expel the same number of diplomats from each country. The foreign ministry said the U.S. diplomats—58 from the embassy in Moscow and two from a consulate in Yekaterinburg—must leave Russia by April 5. U.S. staff also are expected to leave the consulate in St. Petersburg by Saturday. “We invite the U.S. authorities who are encouraging a slanderous campaign against our country to come back to their senses and stop thoughtless actions to destroy bilateral relations,” the Russian foreign ministry said. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Russia’s move signals “a further deterioration in the U.S.-Russia relationship.” The diplomatic crisis started March 4 when British authorities found Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia unconscious on a bench in a Salisbury, England, park. They determined a would-be assassin used a Russian-made nerve agent against the pair. Christine Blanchard, medical director for the Salisbury District Hospital, said Yulia’s condition has improved to stable, but she continues to receive full clinical care. Her father remains in critical condition.