President Trump and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau spoke Monday to discuss showing solidarity with the United Kingdom and the decision from both countries to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in the United Kingdom earlier this month.
According to a the White House, the call was designed to “affirm the solidarity of both countries with the United Kingdom and discuss the joint expulsions of Russian intelligence officers in response to Russia’s use of a military-grade chemical weapon on the United Kingdom’s soil.”
The call comes after Trump revealed on Monday that 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled in response to Russia’s role in the attack and have seven days to leave the U.S.
“Today’s actions make the United States safer by reducing Russia’s ability to spy on Americans and to conduct covert operations that threaten America’s national security,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said earlier Monday.
According to a senior administration official, the expulsions are intended to “make it clear to Russia that their actions have consequences.”
Canada has also expelled four Russian diplomats and rejected applications of three as a result of the incident.
Earlier this month, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May expelled 23 Russian diplomats in response to the incident after the U.K. determined Russia had been behind the March 4 attack.
“This represents an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom,” May said told the House of Commons. “It must therefore be met with a full and robust response.”
Russian officials have denied that Russia was responsible for the poisoning and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the accusations were a result of “delirium.”
