Global Geopolitical Series: UK allies show solidarity in expelling hundreds of Russian diplomats over Skripal poisoning

Hundreds of Russian diplomats are being expelled from across the world as the allies of the United Kingdom show solidarity with the UK over the alleged poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy, who worked as a double agent for the United Kingdom until his capture in 2006. Later he was released as part of a spy exchange program.

On March 4th, Skripal and his daughter Yulia were rushed to a hospital after they were found unconscious at a park in Salisbury. It was later reported that the father and daughter had come into contact with an obscure nerve agent. UK government officials said the Skripals were attacked by "Novichok," a powerful Soviet-era chemical nerve agent used by the military. Though the British government did not provide evidence that linked Russia to the crime but was confident from the beginning there could be no other "reasonable explanation" for the attempted assassination since the nerve agent was first manufactured in the former Soviet Union. Great Britain was so convinced of their Russia theory, they rushed in levying sanctions against the country by quickly expelling Russian diplomats from London.  Shortly afterward, UK capital officials reached out to NATO and their European allies who provided immediate support.

At the European Summit last week, UK was able to garner support from the European Union which joined the UK in condemning Russia over the Skripals poisoning. Though independent experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) yet to submit their findings, as many as 15 European countries have announced expulsion of Russia diplomats.

Washington has also joined the rank and announced expulsion of as many as 60 Russian diplomats from the country and closure of Seattle embassy. Ukraine has also announced expulsion of 13 diplomats. Australia has also announced expulsion of 2 Russia diplomats.