Russia gives tit-for-tat to US, kicks out 60 US diplomats

Moscow, March 30: Russia on Friday ordered the expulsion of diplomats from the European states in a tit-for-tat response over the expulsion of its diplomats following the poisoning of a former spy in the UK.

The measure came a day after Russia kicked out 60 US diplomats -- 58 from the US mission in Moscow and two from Yekaterinburg -- for activities "incompatible with diplomatic status". It had also ordered closure of the St. Petersburg consulate, Sputnik news agency reported.

So far, 29 countries have expelled 145 Russian officials in solidarity with the UK, and NATO also ordered 10 Russians out of its mission in Belgium.

In retaliation, Moscow on Friday expelled four Polish diplomats, three diplomats each of Lithuania and the Czech Republic, two diplomats each of Italy and the Netherlands, and one diplomat each of Finland, Latvia and Sweden. Moscow also expelled one military attache of Estonia