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Donald Trump expels 60 Russian diplomats over Salisbury spy attack

Joe Roberts for Metro.co.uk

Donald Trump expels 60 Russian diplomats over Salisbury spy attack
Donald Trump and other world leaders are kicking out Russian diplomats (Picture: Reuters)

Donald Trump has expelled 60 Russian diplomats over the Salisbury spy attack.

A senior White House official has also ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.

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Senior Trump administration officials said the expelled Russians include 12 spies who the US believes are working under diplomatic cover at Russias mission to the United Nations.

They said the Seattle consulate is a counter-intelligence concern because of its proximity to a US Navy base.

Officials added that the actions are being taken to send a message about the unacceptably high number of Russian spies in the US and to respond to the attack in the UK.

DA NANG, VIETNAM - NOVEMBER 11, 2017: US president Donald Trump (L) and Russia's president Vladimir Putin (C) talk after a meeting on the closing day of the 25th APEC Summit. Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS
Last week, Trump congratulated Putin on his re-election (Picture: Tass/PA)

The expelled Russians will have seven days to leave the US.

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It marks one of the most significant actions taken by the Trump administration against Vladimir Putin.

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Less than a week ago, Trump congratulated Putin by phone for his re-election but didnt raise the spy case, renewing questions about whether the US president is too soft on the Kremlin.

European Council president Donald Tusk confirmed 14 member nations, including Russias neighbours, have expelled Russian diplomatic staff.

Germany is expected to kick out four Russian diplomats, with the German foreign minister Heiko Maas saying its clear that this attack cant remain without consequences.

European Council President Donald Tusk, second left, speaks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, third right, during a round table meeting at an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Leaders from the 28 European Union nations meet for a two-day summit to assess the state of Brexit negotiations, the prospect of a trade war with the United States and how to react to Russia following to the nerve agent attack in Britain. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
European Council president Donald Tusk said 14 EU states are taking action (Picture: AP)

We didnt take the decision to expel Russian diplomats lightly, he added.

But the facts and the indications point to Russia. The Russian government so far hasnt answered any open questions and has shown no readiness to want to play a constructive role in clarifying the attack.

The Ukrainian president announced the expulsion of 13 Russian diplomats.

Denmark announced its giving two the boot, while the Czech Republic and Lithuania are expelling three each, respectively.

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