MOSCOW, Mar. 17 (YPA) – The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that it has decided to expel 23 British diplomats and give them a week to leave. It also announced the withdrawal of the British Consulate’s license in the northwestern city of Petersburg and the suspension of British Council activity in Russia.

The ministry also summoned the British ambassador on Saturday to inform him of the retaliatory action that follows the UK’s expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats earlier this week.

The British ambassador’s call came amid a severe policy crisis between the two countries triggered by a chemical attack on former spy Sergei Skripal.and his daughter Yulia in the southern city of Slesbury earlier this month.

Top British officials accused Russia of being behind the poisoning of Skripal and decided to impose sanctions on Moscow, including the deportation of 23 Russian diplomats from Britain.

Moscow dismissed the accusations, which it described as null and based on no evidence.

Sameera Hassn