2nd LD Writethru: NATO withdraws accreditation of 7 Russian diplomats

BRUSSELS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- NATO decided Tuesday to withdraw the accreditation of seven staff at the Russian Mission to NATO in response to the row over the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain on March 4.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement that the intensive consultations have taken place among NATO allies following the "attack in Salisbury" against Skripal and his daughter.

"Those consultations have resulted so far in the expulsion of over 140 Russian officials by over 25 NATO Allies and partners," he said, adding that, "This is a broad, strong and coordinated international response. And as part of that response, NATO is unified in taking further steps."

Stoltenberg said he would also deny the pending accreditation request for three other Russian diplomats.

Tuesday's decision follows "Russia's lack of constructive response to what happened in Salisbury," the statement said.

NATO has expressed the Allies' support to Britain and called on Russia to address Britain's questions on March 14 and 15.

Tuesday's decision follows "Russia's lack of constructive response to what happened in Salisbury," the statement said.

Stoltenberg also stressed that NATO remained committed to a dual-track approach of strong defense and openness to dialogue, including by working to prepare the next meeting of the NATO-Russia Council.

"Today's decision does not change NATO's policy towards Russia," said the NATO chief.

Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench at a shopping center in Salisbury earlier this month.

They remain in critical condition after exposure to a nerve agent, which, according to the British authorities, could have originated from Russia.

Moscow has denied any involvement in the incident.

On Monday, European Council President Donald Tusk announced in Varna, Bulgaria, that 14 European Union (EU) member states had decided to expel Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain.

Amid the coordinated effort of the West, the U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and intelligence officials, and the closure of the Russian Consulate in Seattle.

Earlier this month, Britain announced to expel 23 Russian diplomats and freeze Russian state assets in Britain. It also announced to suspend all planned high-level contacts with Russia, and boycott this year's World Cup in Russia by ministers and royal family members.

In retaliation, Moscow expelled an equal number of British diplomats and closed a British consular mission.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday that Russia "strongly protests" diplomats expulsion by the United States and 14 European countries over the ex-spy case, vowing to retaliate.

It said the British authorities took a "prejudiced, biased and hypocritical stance", denying Russia access to any information about the incident, despite its repeated appeals.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow regrets these moves of the Western countries, and Russia's diplomatic authorities will analyze the situation and propose response measures to President Vladimir Putin for his final decision. Enditem