Nerve agent attack results in Cold War vibes between US and Russia; 171 diplomats leave both nations
Russian and US diplomats packed their bags today amid a diplomatic crisis between Moscow and the West, with post-Cold War tensions peaking in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain.
About 50 men, women and children left Russia’s hilltop embassy in Washington in a blue bus believed to be headed towards Dulles International Airport.
In total, 171 people — 60 Russians diplomats who Washington alleges are “spies” and their families — were scheduled to leave on two planes provided by the Russian government, with one making a brief stop in New York.
Meanwhile in Saint Petersburg, moving trucks pulled into the front of the US consulate as the American flag was taken down, following the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s announcement of its closure and the expulsion of 60 US diplomats.
The consulate’s employees were given until 10:00 pm to leave, while the residence must be vacated by the end of April, according to the Interfax news agency.
The tit-for-tat expulsions came after Russia demanded today that Britain further slash its diplomatic presence as a crisis in ties between Moscow and the West escalated over a nerve agent attack on a former spy.
The call came after 23 British …read more