Russia expels two US diplomats in retaliation

Russia has decided to expel two U.S. diplomats in Moscow after Washington deported in June two Russian officials, the TASS news agency reported Saturday.

Two staff members of the U.S. Embassy have been declared personae non grata for "unfriendly activities incompatible with diplomatic status," and they had to leave Moscow, said the report, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

"We hope that they in Washington will realize all the viciousness of the aggressive anti-Russia line. If they decide there to move on the path of escalation, they won't be left without a response," Ryabkov warned.

On June 17, the United States expelled two Russian officials in response to an attack on a U.S. diplomat by a Russian police officer outside the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

The Russian side said the police officer was fulfilling his duties of protecting the embassy.
Source:XINHUA