Whatever the balance of motives in the attempted murder of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal – and these may never be precisely ascertained – one consideration is likely to have been key. This is the weakness of the UK, which decided against a strong response to the fatal poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, is planning its exit from the European Union and is trying to manage a transatlantic relationship that looks less special than ever. Britain, like other US allies, must deal with an unreliable American president who has displayed extraordinary sympathy for his Russian counterpart, and whose campaign is under investigation for possible collusion with the Kremlin.
Yet more than 20 western allies are ejecting over 100 diplomats believed to be spies, in what the prime minister called the biggest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officials in history. It came days after EU leaders agreed that it was “highly likely Russia is responsible” for the poisoning of Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Most strikingly, the US is expelling 60 Russian diplomats, including 12 posted to the UN headquarters in New York, and closing the consulate in Seattle. Donald Trump is allowing his administration to take a decisive stance – probably because he has been made to feel he has little choice – even if he remains reluctant to criticise Vladimir Putin, or acknowledge Russian meddling in the US election.
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