US expels two representatives of the Russian Embassy from Washington

Weeks after Moscow asked two Americans to leave, the US removed two Russian diplomats, the latest tit-for-tat expulsion as ties between the two nations continue to deteriorate.

The action was taken in response to Russia’s expulsion of the two US diplomats for interactions with a former consular worker who was allegedly gathering sensitive information. The US has deemed these accusations to be unfounded.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller issued a statement saying, “The Department will not tolerate the Russian government’s pattern of harassment of our diplomats.”

Seven days were granted to the unnamed Russian officials to leave the US. The US ambassadors David Bernstein and Jeffrey Sillin, who were asked to leave Russia last month, were granted the same length of time.

Due to a feud over an ex-employee, Russia expelled two US diplomats.

The former employee of the US embassy in Vladivostok who was involved in communications with Sillin and Bernstein subsequently admitted to acquiring secret material.

Since long before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US and Russia have exchanged expelling parties.