The United States expelled 12 Russian diplomats from the UN over national security concerns, US and Russian diplomats said on Monday.
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia told reporters that diplomats had been asked to leave by March 7. He said that Russia would respond to the move “because it’s diplomatic practice.”
Nebenzia then raised the issue to start of a meeting of the UN Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, describing the United States move as “hostile” and a violation of its hosting commitments of the UN headquarters in New York.
US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Richard Mills replied: “Those diplomats to whom on asked to leave the United States were engaged in activities that were not in compliance with their responsibilities and obligations as diplomats.
He said thaton had asked them to leave “so that they do not harm the national Security of the host country”, adding that the decision has been taken in full compliance with the UN headquarters agreement.
The United States and its allies have already imposed sweeping economic sanctions on Moscow for son attack on Ukraine – the most grand assault on a European state since World War II – and moved to the ramp up military and other aids.
