President Trump’s decision to expel 60 Russian spies Monday heralded the “the largest expulsion” of Russian intelligence operatives from Western nations ever, according to U.S. and British officials.
“This is the largest expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in United States history,” Jon Huntsman, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, said Monday. “Today’s actions make the United States a safer place by limiting the ability of Russia to spy on Americans and conduct covert activities that threaten America’s national security.”
Those expulsions, and the closure of Russia’s consulate in Seattle, were made in concert with fourteen European nations. Thus they contributed to an unprecedented crackdown on Russian intelligence officials by Western powers and a diplomatic victory for British Prime Minister Theresa May, who has accused Russia of using “a military-grade nerve agent” to poison a former Russian intelligence officer who was convicted of treason and then released to the United Kingdom in 2010.
“[T]his is the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history,” May told the British House of Commons on Monday. “I have found great solidarity from our friends and partners in the EU, North America, NATO and beyond over the past three weeks as we have confronted the aftermath of the Salisbury incident. And together we have sent a message that we will not tolerate Russia’s continued attempts to flout international law and undermine our values.”
Russia has denied responsibility for the attack, while instead accusing May of trying to sabotage Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to rehabilitate relations with the European Union and vowed to retaliate.
“We are to analyze the situation following the declared decisions by a number of countries to expel our diplomats,” Kremlin Dmitry Peskov said Monday. “The main analysis will be done by our Foreign Ministry. After that the president will see proposals for taking retaliatory steps. A final decision will be made by the head of state.”
The expulsions and retaliation could reprise the diplomatic contretemps that unfolded in 2017, after then-President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian officials and seized two facilities in the United States as punishment for the 2016 election interference. Putin delayed retaliating until Congress passed a far-reaching Russia sanctions package, at which point he ordered the State Department to slash hundreds of staff in Russia.
In response, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson closed the Russian Consulate in San Francisco as well as two other diplomatic outposts. If that incident is a guide, however, the Russian response to the latest punishment would have to be broadened, given that Obama expelled fewer officials and was not joined by European allies. “We will be guided by the principle of reciprocity as before,” Peskov said.
Huntsman argued that Russia can stop the controversies at any time. “These actions by the United States, along with our allies and partners, make clear to Russia that it’s actions have consequences,” he said. The bonds between our people remain strong. The United States is ready to cooperate and forge a better relationship between our two countries. But that will only be possible when Russia chooses to become a responsible partner.”
