The United States on Monday expelled 60 Russian officials and ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle, as bilateral ties between the nuclear powers continue to deteriorate over poisoning an ex-spy in Britain . Of the 60 officials being asked to leave, 48 are posted at the Russian embassy and 12 are at the Russian mission to the United Nations in New York. U.S administration officials said Russian officials and their families have been given seven days to leave the U.S.
“…President Donald J. Trump ordered the expulsion of dozens of Russian intelligence officers from the United States and the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle due to its proximity to one of our submarine bases and Boeing,” a White House statement said. Russia is required to close the consulate by April 2.
“The United States takes this action in conjunction with our NATO allies and partners around the world in response to Russia’s use of a military-grade chemical weapon on the soil of the United Kingdom, the latest in its ongoing pattern of destabilizing activities around the world. Today’s actions make the United States safer by reducing Russia's ability to spy on Americans and to conduct covert operations that threaten America’s national security.”
Warning to Russia
The statement said, “with these steps, the United States and our allies and partners make clear to Russia that its actions have consequences. The United States stands ready to cooperate to build a better relationship with Russia, but this can only happen with a change in the Russian government’s behavior.”
Mutual retaliatory measures have resulted in spiraling escalation of tensions between Russia and America through the last year, after American intelligence agencies concluded that Kremlin ran a digital influence campaign during the 2016 presidential election, to help Mr. Trump.
During his last weeks in office Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats from America and ordered the seizure of two Russian properties, in Maryland and New York. Kremlin did not immediately retaliate, hoping that the incoming Trump administration would try to mend ties. In July 2017, the U.S Congress imposed new sanctions against Russia for alleged interference in the election. Russia retaliated with the expulsion of nearly 800 American officials. In response, the U.S expelled more Russian diplomats and ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in San Fransico in August.
The President and the members of his national security team are not always on the same page on the question of dealing with Russia. Soon after the President congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin for his reelection last week, information leaked that he did so ignoring the notes before him that specifically advised him not to congratulate, renewing questions about whether Mr. Trump is too soft on the Kremlin. The departure of H R McMaster as NSA was hastened by the leak of Mr. Trump’s telephone conversation with Mr. Putin, according to some reports. John Bolton, handpicked by Mr. Trump to succeed Mr. McMaster as NSA is a known hawk on Russia. Officials told reporters that Mr. Trump was involved in the deliberations over the weekend that culminated in Monday’s decision.
On March 16, the U.S. had imposed sanctions against 19 Russian individuals and five entities for interfering in the 2016 election and for other cyber-intrusions. Earlier, the special counsel investigating the Russian interference in the election had indicted 13 Russian individuals and entities. Robert Mueller, the special counsel, is reportedly negotiating with the President legal team the possibility of interviewing him.
