• Source:REUTERS
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Weeks after Moscow ordered two Americans to leave, the United States also expelled two Russian diplomats as ties between the two nations continue to deteriorate, the US State Department said on Friday. The move was taken in response to Russia's expulsion of the two US diplomats for contact with a former employee who had been accused of collecting sensitive information. The US called the allegations baseless.  

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"In response to the Russian Federation's specious expulsion of two US Embassy Moscow diplomats, the State Department reciprocated by declaring persona non grata two Russian Embassy officials operating in the United States," a State Department spokesman said, as quoted by news agency Reuters.

The US said it will not tolerate the Russian government's habit of harassing American diplomats and the unacceptable actions against its Embassy personnel in Moscow will have consequences.

In September, Moscow expelled American diplomats. (Image credits: Reuters)

"The Department will not tolerate the Russian government's pattern of harassment of our diplomats," the spokesman said, adding that "unacceptable actions against our Embassy personnel in Moscow will have consequences."

Russia's RIA news agency quoted an unnamed source in the Russian foreign ministry as confirming the expulsion, calling it groundless and saying Washington had used Moscow's Sept. 14 expulsion of two U.S. diplomats "caught red-handed engaging in spying activities" as a pretext.

"We are not interested in escalation, but if such hostile actions continue, as always, we will respond firmly and decisively," RIA quoted the source.

On September 14, Russia announced that it was exiling two American diplomats accused of working with a Russian national accused of collaborating with a foreign power.

The ties between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated to their lowest point in more than 60 years because of the war in Ukraine. In response to Russia's invasion in February 2022, the United States is giving Ukraine cutting-edge weapons and has imposed sanctions on it.

(With Inputs From Reuters)


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