Russia to expel 23 British diplomats in retaliation

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The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it will expel 23 British diplomats and will close the British Council in Russia, in response to London's "provocative" measures over a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain.

"Twenty three diplomatic staff at the British embassy in Moscow are declared persona non grata and to be expelled within a week," the foreign ministry said in a statement after summoning the British ambassador Laurie Bristow.

The move comes days after Britain’s decision to expel the same number of Russian diplomats.

British ambassador to Russia Laurie Bristow arrives at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Russia, March 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Russian ministry said it was a response to Britain’s “provocative actions” and “baseless accusations” over the incident on March 4 – referring to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, which Britain has blamed on Russia.

Russia also said it was halting the activities of the British Council, Britain's international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, across the country.

"Due to the unregulated status of the British Council in Russia, its activity is halted," the foreign ministry said. And the ministry had also warned Britain that "if further unfriendly actions are taken towards Russia, the Russian side retains the right to take other answering measures."

Sergei Skripal, a former colonel of Russia's GRU military intelligence service, looks on inside the defendants' cage as he attends a hearing at the Moscow military district court, Russia August 9, 2006. /Reuters Photo‍

Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement on Saturday that the country's National Security Council would meet early next week to consider its next steps.

"Our priority today is looking after our staff in Russia and assisting those that will return to the UK," the Britain's Foreign Office said in its statement.

"We have no disagreement with the people of Russia and we continue to believe it is not in our national interest to break off all dialogue between our countries but the onus remains on the Russian state to account for their actions," said the statement.

(With inputs from agencies)