Malta will be recalling its ambassador to Russia, the government said in a statement today.

The government seems to have had a change of heart with regard to the current dispute the European Union has with Russia in the wake of the Salisbury attack.

Two days ago, the government chief communications officer said that Malta was not to expel any Russian diplomats.

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But the situation has somewhat escalated - at least in the eyes of the government - and Malta will be recalling its ambassador to Moscow.

In a statement, the government said that in the context of the Salisbury attack, the Government of Malta stands in full solidarity with the United Kingdom in the face of this serious challenge to our common security.

"The Government of Malta condemns the attack in Salisbury in the strongest possible terms, and agrees with the United Kingdom government’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible.

"The Government of Malta has therefore decided to recall Malta’s Ambassador to Russia, Carmel Brincat, from Moscow for political consultations."

On Monday the Trump administration expelled 60 Russian diplomats on Monday and ordered Russia's consulate in Seattle to close, as the United States and European nations sought to jointly punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain.