US, Europe expel nearly 150 Russian envoys over UK spy attack

European Union President Donald Tusk says additional measures including further expulsions are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks. AFP PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was expelling seven Russian diplomats and denying accreditation to three more.
  • President Petro Poroshenko called for even more action to be taken.

The United States, its European allies and NATO have expelled scores of Russian diplomats in a coordinated action against Moscow which they accuse of poisoning an ex-spy in Britain.
Here is a list of the countries and the number of Russians expelled.
US, Canada, Australia

The United States expelled 60 alleged "spies" posted around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations.
It also closed the Russian consulate in Seattle over alleged spying at the nearby Kitsap submarine base and Boeing.
The retaliation against Moscow was taken "in response to Russia's use of a military-grade chemical weapon on the soil of the United Kingdom," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said.
Canada ousted four diplomats, calling the nerve agent attack "a despicable, heinous and reckless act".
Australia followed suit with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying two Russian diplomats had seven days to leave.

NATO
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was expelling seven Russian diplomats and denying accreditation to three more.
"This will send a clear message to Russia that there are costs and consequences for their unacceptable pattern of behaviour," Stoltenberg said.
European Union

Seventeen EU states have joined Britain in expelling Russian diplomats following a European Council decision last week to react to Moscow within a common framework.
"Additional measures including further expulsions are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks," EU President Donald Tusk said.
Britain itself has already kicked out 23 Russian diplomats, with Moscow retaliating with a tit-for-tat move.
Croatia: One diplomat
Czech Republic: Three diplomats
Denmark: Two diplomats

Estonia: One diplomat
France: Four diplomats
Finland: One diplomat
Germany: Four diplomats
Hungary: One diplomat
Ireland: One diplomat
Italy: Two diplomats
Latvia: One diplomat

Lithuania: Three diplomats
Netherlands: Two diplomats
Poland: Four diplomats
Romania: One diplomat
Spain: Two diplomats
Sweden: One diplomat
Outside EU

Albania: Two diplomats
Macedonia: One diplomat
Norway: One diplomat
Ukraine: 13 diplomats
President Petro Poroshenko called for even more action to be taken.
"The next step is to increase the price that Moscow has to pay for its international crimes, including the strengthening of personal, financial and economic sanctions," he said.