The USA asked 12 Russian U.N. diplomats to leave the country because of their probable engagement in “activities that were not in accordance with their responsibilities and obligations as diplomats,” announced the U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Richard Mills.
The U.S. has informed the Russian Mission that we are beginning the process of expelling 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their privileges of residency in the U.S. by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security.
— Olivia Dalton (@USUNSpox) February 28, 2022
Russia’s U.N. ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said in response that Mills’s explanation of the expulsion was “unsatisfactory”.
The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki emphasized that these 12 Russian diplomats had been involved in intelligence activities in the USA.
The U.S. Mission to the U.N. also made a statement that the 12 diplomats had been “intelligence operatives” and “abused their privileges of residency in the U.S. by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security”.
“We are taking this action in accordance with the headquarters agreement. Today’s action has been in the works for several months,” announced Olivia Dalton, the official representative of the U.S. mission to the U.N.