President Trump announced this morning that he has decided to expel 60 Russian diplomats, as a response to a Russian chemical weapons attack on a former Russian spy in the UK on March 4th. Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with Novichok, a nerve agent ten times more powerful than VX. 48 of the spies are posing as diplomats accredited to the Russian Embassy, and twelve are accredited to the Russian mission to the UN.
“It is designed to send a message to Moscow’s leaders, and not to any other countries.”
Closing Consulate Near Submarine Base
In a background briefing early this morning, a senior administration official informed the media that the U.S. government also has decided to close the Russian consulate in Seattle. The official noted that the consulate is close to a critical submarine base, and to Boeing. This location affords Russian agents the opportunity for particularly damaging intelligence collection on military matters.
Asked whether Russian agents are spying on other military bases, the official clarified that this action is being taken in direct response to the Russian chemical weapon attack. “This is not being done in relation to any activity regarding military bases, but in response to the CW attack in the UK,” the official said.
“We assess this consulate as part of the problem of Russian spying activity in the United States. We deem that closing it sends a needed message at a critical time.”
CW Attack and General Russian Aggression
A questioner from a historically non-aligned country asked whether this expulsion signifies a revival of the Cold War. He asked also what message it is intended to send to other countries, including China. The official characterized it as an action taken in response to a chemical weapons attack against a person in the UK, our closest ally. It is also a response to general Russian aggression in recent years. “It is designed to send a message to Moscow’s leaders, and not to any other countries.”
“The individuals being sent back to Russia are all intelligence officers. They are considered to be aggressive collections personnel here in the US.”
President Trump did not tell Russian President Putin about it the expulsion. The two leaders spoke last Tuesday, in a conversation that has been reported on already. They have had no contact since that conversation. The Russian ambassador was convoked this morning and informed of the decision, in accordance with normal diplomatic protocol. The 60 identified individuals and their families have been given seven days to leave the United States.
Closely Coordinated With Allies “At All Levels”
The briefing official said this action “was President Trump’s decision, coordinated throughout the administration.” Administration officials also have been working closely at all levels with UK and NATO allies to prepare this response. “We have been in very close and continuous coordination, several times a day. We have been latched up pretty tightly.” The official said to expect similar actions to be taken by more than a dozen allies in the coming days.
The official said to expect similar actions to be taken by more than a dozen allies in the coming days.
In response to questions about cooperating with Russia in investigating the incident, the official noted that the Russians have had a month to respond. In that time, they have done nothing constructive, but only engaged in obfuscation. The official noted that the Russians have accused several other countries, including the United States, of being the source for the Novichok.
President Trump and White House officials are in the process of engaging with leaders of the House and Senate throughout course of day. They will brief them on the action and on the background behind the decision.
The official confirmed that all the Russian officials being expelled are spies, in spite of their diplomatic cover. “The individuals being sent back to Russia are all intelligence officers. They are considered to be aggressive collections personnel here in the US.”
The briefer said that there are over 100 Russian intelligence officers in the United States. Noting that this expulsion leaves more than 40 still here, he said, “This is a momentous step, but it is a first step. We reserve the right to take further steps in the future. Eliminating their presence will allow the FBI to devote more resources to the others who remain.”
Asked whether President Trump has briefed British Prime Minister Theresa May on the decision, the official noted that the President had a call with Prime Minister May last week. “I would refer you to the White House for any questions on the President’s conversations with the Prime Minister. Broadly, we have been coordinating closely with UK and other allies at all levels, especially our UK partners.”
