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Russia expels 23 British diplomats

MOSCOW, March 17 (KUNA) -- Russian authorities have said that 23 British diplomats will be expelled in retaliation to a similar British decision.
The Foreign Ministry in Moscow said in a statement Saturday it summoned the British ambassador Laurie Bristow and informed him of the decision that 23 representatives of the embassy were considered persona non grata and should leave Russia within a week.
It added that the decision came in retaliation to London's "provocative moves and unjustified charges" to Moscow in connection with alleged poisoning of the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia ulia, on March 4 in Salisbury, UK.
According to the statement, Russia revoked its agreement on the opening and operation of the UK Consulate General in St. Petersburg. It also closed the British Council in Moscow.
It noted that the Russian side "reserves the right to take other response measures.
Britain on Wednesday said it would expel 23 Russian diplomats in response to the attempt to assassinate the Russian ex-spy and his daughter with nerve gas. (end) as.msa