After London, the USA, Canada and Ukraine, European Council President Donald Tusk announced that 14 EU member states decided to expel Russian diplomats. This common reaction is a support to the United Kingdom’s reaction after the poisoning of the double agent Sergueï Skripal and his daughter Loulia by the nerve gas Novichok. Mr. Skripal, 66 years, was a former colonel of the Russian intelligence service refugee in the UK for 2010 after conviction for high treason. The fact happened the 4th march during a visit in Moscow. Immediately, Russia was accused of this murder.
In total, Britain has already expelled 23 Russian diplomats, the USA announces the expulsion of 48 “intelligent officers” and 12 to Russia’s mission to the United Nations, Ukraine expelled 13 Russian diplomats and Canada expels four. The European Union announces the ejection of 30 diplomats (Germany, Poland and France each planned to boot four, the Czech Republic three and Italy two).
Moreover, the European Union has already recalled its ambassador to Russia. On the other hand, the EU doesn’t expel Russian diplomats from mission to the EU. This decision falls within the competence of the Kingdom of Belgium.
Russia reacted immediately: “The provocative gesture of the so-called solidarity of these countries with London, which blindly followed the British authorities in the so-called Skripal case and which never got around to sort out the circumstances of the incident, is a continuation of the confrontational policy to escalate the situation,”
This murder could definitely change the balance of international relation.
Clémence Lambotte
For further information:
France 24 : http://www.france24.com/en/20180326-usa-expel-60-russian-diplomats-skripal-spy-poisoning-putin-trump
Politico : https://www.politico.eu/article/tusk-14-eu-countries-expel-russian-diplomats/
Agence Europe : https://agenceurope.eu/fr/bulletin/article/11989/1
The Guardian : https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/26/four-eu-states-set-to-expel-russian-diplomats-over-skripal-attack
