Tit for Tat: Russia also expels 23 British diplomats

Moscow, March 18: In a tit for tat response to Britain, Russia has decided to expel 23 British diplomats who must leave Moscow within a week, its foreign ministry said on Saturday, after a meeting with Britain’s ambassador to Russia, Laurie Bristow.

In retaliation for British Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to kick out 23 Russians, Moscow has also decided to close the British Council in Russia and to withdraw permission for Britain to open a general consulate in St Petersburg, the ministry said in a statement.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has expelled 23 diplomats and suspended high-level contacts with Russia including for the World Cup, saying her government found Moscow culpable of a nerve agent attack on a former spy.

Following the alleged poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, May told the Parliament that there can be no alternative conclusion other than the Russian state being responsible for their attempted murder.

Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement and its London embassy warned that May's response was totally unacceptable and shortsighted. Moscow called Britain's decision to expel 23 Russian diplomats a sign that London chose to confront with Russia and added that retaliation would follow shortly.