Russia Told To Close Seattle Embassy

SEATTLE, WA - The U.S. State Department on Monday morning ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and intelligence agents and the closing of Russia's embassy in Seattle. In a statement, a state department spokesperson said the move is punishment for Russia allegedly using a nerve agent to poison two people in Britain.

The Seattle embassy must close by April 2, according to the state department. The embassy is located in an office building near the intersection of 6th Avenue and University Street.

"On March 4, Russia used a military-grade nerve agent to attempt to murder a British citizen and his daughter in Salisbury. This attack on our Ally the United Kingdom put countless innocent lives at risk and resulted in serious injury to three people, including a police officer," state department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

In a statement, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan criticized President Donald Trump for waiting so long to punish Russia after the UK attack.

"The real question is why it takes so long to stand with our allies and take action against a government who continues to threaten and undermine our democracy," she said. "When Seattle was previously targeted by Russian hackers, we acted and brought Roman Seleznev to justice. Attacks from Russian intelligence, including interference in the 2016 election, need to be met with aggressive enforcement against those who participate or cooperate."

The U.S. was joined Monday in punishing Russia by Canada and the European Union, both of which also expelled diplomats.

On March 4, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned while sitting on a bench in a park in the city of Salisbury. They were critically injured, as was a Salisbury police officer who tried to help them.

In December 2016, Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for interference with the presidential election.

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