21:28 GMT +322 February 2019

US President Donald Trump speaks on the phone

White House: Trump, Trudeau Discuss Expulsions of Russian Intelligence Officers

© AP Photo / Alex Brandon

04:23 27.03.2018(updated 04:34 27.03.2018) Get short URL

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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a phone call discussed the decisions made by both countries to expel Russian intelligence officers, the White House said in a press release.

"Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada to affirm the solidarity of both countries with the United Kingdom and discuss the joint expulsions of Russian intelligence officers in response to Russia’s use of a military-grade chemical weapon on the United Kingdom’s soil," the release said on Monday. "This behavior from Russia is the latest in its ongoing pattern of destabilizing activities around the world."

Earlier in the day, the US government announced that it was expelling a total of 60 Russian diplomats in connection with Moscow’s alleged role in the poisoning of Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK’s Salisbury. Russia has strongly rejected the accusations and offered to help in the Skripal probe. However, Moscow's request for samples of the chemical substance used to poison Skripal was rejected.

This file photo taken on March 29, 2017 shows a pro-remain protester holds up an EU flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out in front of the Houses of Parliament shortly after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced to the House of Commons that Article 50 had been triggered in London on March 29, 2017.

© AFP 2018 / OLI SCARFF

‘Poisonous Political Harmony‘ – German Expert Weighs in on Diplomats' Expulsion

Russian Envoy to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia told reporters earlier on Monday the United States abused its privileges as UN host nation by expelling 12 members of the Russian permanent mission based in New York.

In addition to the United States and Canada, a total of 16 European Union countries, as well as Norway, Albania, and Ukraine, announced their decisions to expel Russian diplomats in connection with the incident in Salisbury. Most expulsions involved less than five individuals.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russia regrets the decision by several countries to expel Russian diplomats. He added the Russian Foreign Ministry and other agencies will analyze the situation and present Putin with plans on the response.

Last week, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s department of nonproliferation said the poisoning of Skripal might have been orchestrated by the United States, London's close ally and an owner of a large chemical weapons arsenal.

Related:: ‘Poisonous Political Harmony‘ – German Expert Weighs in on Diplomats' Expulsion

: Russian Envoy: US Abuses Privileges as UN Host Nation by Expulsion of Diplomats

: Who Joined, Who Abstained From London’s Diplomat Expulsion Extravaganza

: Trump Urges Other States to Join Expulsion of Russian Diplomats

: Russian Cultural Center in Washington to Continue Work Despite Head’s Expulsion

Tags:

expulsion, diplomats, Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump, Canada, United States

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