Trump administration can send Russian diplomats in response to Skripl’s poisoning

The US National Security Council has developed a number of options for action in case President Donald Trump decides to take action against Russia after the poisoning of former Russian intelligence intelligence defector Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK.

Photo: Donald J. Trump / Facebook

It is reported CNN with reference to sources at the State Department.

Interdepartmental discussions involving the State Department and the White House were held to create a list of responses.

According to sources, one of the options under consideration is the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the United States. One official noted that this would be a “very serious step,” especially considering the last round of expulsions because of cyber attacks, after which the American and Russian diplomatic corps in Russia and the United States, respectively, significantly reduced.

If the US sends even more Russian diplomats, following the example of how the United Kingdom reacted to the poisoning, we should expect Russia to respond the same.

However, sources emphasized that the expulsion of diplomats is just one of the options for retaliatory action that is being considered by the White House, moreover, it is not yet clear whether the president will take any action at all in response to the scandal in Britain.

One of the high-ranking State Department officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, supported the UK decision to send 23 Russian diplomats: “We are in solidarity with our allies in the United Kingdom and fully support the decision of the United Kingdom to expel diplomats and other retaliatory actions. The United States is considering a number of options for responding to this outrageous incident in order to demonstrate our solidarity with our ally and bring Russia to justice for its clear violation of international norms and agreements. ”

Recall, the former GRU officer Sergey Skripal and his daughter Julia were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury March 4. They were taken to the hospital in critical condition, they are still in a coma, doctors estimate their condition as consistently severe. The police found that they were poisoned nerve agent. About 20 people were poisoned, including the policeman who first visited the scene and the house of Skripal. On the fact of poisoning a case of attempted murder.

In Russia, Skripal was convicted in 2006 for spying for British intelligence. In 2010, he was exchanged for Russian intelligence agents uncovered in the United States.

After investigating, Britain came to the conclusion that the nerve agent of the new generation of the group called “Rookie” was used for poisoning. Since no country other than Russia had access to this substance, London declared that Russia was most likely responsible for the attempt. Prime Minister Teresa May ultimately demanded an explanation from Moscow.

The authorities rejected the suspicion of involvement in the crime and refused to respond to the ultimatum, demanding to provide official information about the case.

In response to this Britain announces expulsion of Russian diplomats from 23which, according to London, are working for Russian intelligence.

Read also on ForumDaily:

The family of Sergey Skripal was torn by scandals: Julia's boyfriend was implicated in them

As soon as Putin was declared an enemy, we were immediately united: an opinion

Russian developer of the substance that poisoned Skripal who emigrated to the USA spoke about the future of the ex-spy

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.