Where is Russia diplomatic row heading?

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Europe

By CGTN’s The Point

Moscow and Washington are now in a diplomatic test led by the UK’s “provocation” over the ex-spy poisoning case after a reciprocal expulsion of 60 diplomats.

Though no evidence has been public to show “Russia did it,” the UK and its allies including the US are in the front of a diplomatic row with Russia who just expelled the same number of US diplomatic staff from Russia as the US did.

Alexander Nekrassov, a former Kremlin adviser, said on CGTN’s The Point (@thepointwithlx) that: “This is a political propaganda war against Russia when it is punished even before the verdict has been given.”

“There’s absolutely no evidence at all,” he insisted.

Joel Rubin, president of Washington Strategy Group, argued that it’s not a “propaganda war” but a “demonstration” disapproving Russia’s behavior, noting there’s “hard” piece of evidence locating “one source” of the chemical attack.

As for the “development” that CNN cited from “sources,” Nekrassov referred to some intelligence agencies as “liars” who were used to releasing false information that led to wars in the Middle East.

Rubin admitted that the intelligence failures happened, addressing that it cannot be the excuse of any wrongdoings.

“People in Congress, in particular, are looking for more actions that are really punishing and really does change Russian behavior,” Rubin said.

A view through a fence shows the building of the consulate-general of the US in St Petersburg, Russia March 29, 2018. (Anton Vaganov/Reuters Photo)

This came after US President Trump decided to expel Russian diplomats in Seattle in solidarity with the UK.

People in the US seem “a bit surprised” by the Washington expulsions, given Trump’s lack of interest in punishing Moscow for the presidential meddling in 2016, said Rubin.

“The move to expel diplomats seemed much more aggressive than expected from Trump,” he said. “It’s kind of weak tip, but it’s a strong message.”

But when the British government expelled 104 Soviet Union diplomats in 1971, Nekrassov recalled, a likely cut of diplomatic relations didn’t occur.

“Several years later, relations were back on track, and new diplomats obviously came back,” he said. “We will see the similar situation here” despite the “harsher” rhetoric coming from London.

The Point with Liu Xin is a 30-minute current affairs program on CGTN. It airs weekdays at 9:30 p.m. BJT (1330GMT), with rebroadcasts at 5:30 a.m. (2130GMT) and 10:30 a.m. (0230GMT).