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14 European states announce coordinated expulsion of Russian diplomats over Skripal case 14 European states announce coordinated expulsion of Russian diplomats over Skripal case
(35 minutes later)
Fourteen members of the EU have decided to expel Russian diplomats over the Sergei Skripal case, European Council president Donald Tusk has confirmed. It comes despite zero evidence proving that Moscow was responsible. Fourteen members of the EU have decided to expel Russian diplomats over the Sergei Skripal case, European Council president Donald Tusk has confirmed. It comes despite zero evidence being provided that Moscow was responsible.
Donald Tusk did not specify which fourteen countries are going to act, but added that further action could be taken.
Germany, France and Poland have expelled four diplomats each, respective foreign ministries confirmed on Monday. The Netherlands and Denmark will expel two diplomats each, their foreign ministries said. Germany, France, and Poland topped the charts of EU countries making expulsions, announcing they would each be sending four Russians out of their respective countries. 
Italy is expelling two Russian diplomats, while Lithuania has expelled three, according to that country’s foreign minister. The Czech Republic will expel the same number.  Lithuania and the Czech Republic both announced they would be expelling three diplomats. 
Meanwhile, Latvia is expelling one diplomat and an Aeroflot employee, and Estonia’s foreign minister has confirmed the country is expelling a military attaché at the Russian embassy. Finland, Sweden, Romania, and Croatia are expelling one each. Meanwhile the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, and Spain jumped on board with two expelled diplomats per country. 
Ukraine has also jumped on board and announced it is expelling as many as 13 diplomats. Albania is expelling two, an official confirmed. Finland, Sweden, Romania, and Croatia are expelling one each. Latvia also announced that it would be expelling one diplomat and an Aeroflot employee, and Estonia's foreign minister confirmed the country would be expelling a military attaché at the Russian embassy. 
Meanwhile, outside of the EU, Donald Trump has ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats from the United States, as well as the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle. Ukraine, which is not an EU member state, announced it would be expelling 13 diplomats. Albania, another country which is not part of the bloc, said it would be expelling two. 
Western countries have been pointing the finger at Russia over the poisoning of Skripal, a former double-agent, and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, UK on March 4. British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson went so far as to suggest the attack was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Further afield, Donald Trump has ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats from the United States, as well as the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.
Russia has denied playing in role in the poisoning, and has offered its full cooperation in the investigation. Moscow’s request for samples of the toxic agent used on Skripal and his daughter has been declined by Britain. Meanwhile, Austria said it won’t be joining the punitive measures against Russia, according to government spokesperson Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal. “We are determined to maintain open channels of dialogue with Russia,” he told RIA Novosti, adding that Austria is a “neutral country and a sort of bridge between the East and the West.” Vienna, however, stands by the decision to recall the EU’s ambassador from Russia, he added.
Western countries have pointed the finger at Russia over the poisoning of Skripal, a former double-agent, and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, UK on March 4. British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson went so far as to suggest the attack was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia has denied playing a role in the poisoning, and has offered its full cooperation in the investigation. Moscow’s request for samples of the toxic agent used on Skripal and his daughter has been declined by Britain.