It is said to be the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history.<\/p>\n
More than 20 countries have aligned with the UK, expelling more than 100 diplomats.<\/p>\n
Russia vowed to retaliate to the “provocative gesture”.<\/p>\n
Russia denies any role in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in Salisbury, southern England. The pair remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.<\/p>\n
EU leaders agreed last week it was highly likely Russia was behind the nerve-agent poisoning.<\/p>\n
Mrs May said: “President Putin’s regime is carrying out acts of aggression against our shared values and interests within our continent and beyond.<\/p>\n
“And as a sovereign European democracy, the United Kingdom will stand shoulder to shoulder with the EU and with Nato to face down these threats together.”<\/p>\n
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also praised the “extraordinary international response” by the UK’s allies.<\/p>\n
The Russian foreign ministry said the moves demonstrated a continuation of a “confrontational path”.<\/p>\n
“It goes without saying that this unfriendly act by this group of countries will not go without notice and we will react to it,” its statement said.<\/p>\n
{{Who is expelling diplomats?}}<\/p>\n
The UK announced it was expelling 23 Russian diplomats earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Various countries announced they were making the same move in solidarity on Monday. These are:<\/p>\n
\uf0a7\tUS: 60 diplomats<\/p>\n
\uf0a7\tEU countries: France (4); Germany (4); Poland (4); Czech Republic (3); Lithuania (3); Denmark (2); Netherlands (2); Italy (2); Spain (2); Estonia (1); Croatia (1); Finland (1); Hungary (1); Latvia (1); Romania (1); Sweden (1)<\/p>\n
\uf0a7\tUkraine: 13
\n\uf0a7\tCanada: 4, plus the rejection of 3 further applications from Russia
\n\uf0a7\tAlbania: 2
\n\uf0a7\tAustralia: 2
\n\uf0a7\tNorway: 1
\n\uf0a7\tMacedonia: 1<\/p>\n
Iceland has also announced it is suspending high-level dialogue with Russian authorities, and its leaders will not attend the World Cup, which starts in Russia in June.<\/p>\n
The UK said earlier this month it would not send ministers or members of the Royal Family to the football tournament.<\/p>\n
EU countries that have said they have no intention of expelling diplomats include Austria, Greece and Portugal, although all have said they support the UK and condemn the poisoning.
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