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Putin’s spokesman warned a decision taken by western states to expel Russian diplomats is a “mistake” following the booting out of 129 across the world – including 60 from the US.

The Kremlin branded the move “provocative” and putting the world on a “confrontational path”.

Russia now waits as Putin – who was elected to serve as president for another six years last Sunday – readies to make the “final decision” on how his nation will respond to the West.

It comes amid the deepening row between the UK and Moscow over the attempted murder of MI6 double agent Sergei Skripal.

Britain is being backed by other NATO and EU powers over its claim that it is “highly likely” Russia was responsible for the attack on Skripal and his daughter Yulia using military grade nerve agent Novichok.

Russia has denied any involvement in the attack, and claimed the UK has been sensationalising the link between the Kremlin and the incident in Salisbury.

In a statement, the Kremlin said: "The provocative gesture of solidarity with London by these countries, who have bowed to the British authorities in the so-called Skripal affair and did not bother to understand the circumstances of what happened, is a continuation of the confrontational path to escalation.

"Britain's allies ... are blindly following the principle of Euro-Atlantic unity, to the detriment of common sense, the norms of civilized international dialogue, and the principles of international law.

"It goes without saying that this unfriendly act by this group of countries will not go without notice and we will react to it."

(Image: GETTY) (Image: GETTY)

US President Donald Trump today announced the expulsions of 60 diplomats and the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.

Meanwhile, Britain has already expelled 23 Russian diplomats from London – accusing them of being spies.

Other NATO and EU nations have also followed suit, as have the Ukraine who expelled 13.

Poland, France, Germany and Canada all expelled four Russian diplomats, along with numerous other nations – bringing the total to 129.

Britain has firmly placed the blame for the attack on Salisbury at Russia's door, with Boris Johnson suggesting Putin was personally responsible for the incident which poisoned 21 people.

The Kremlin have lashed out at the UK, accusing politicians of unjustly blaming Russia before they have all the facts.

Investigations into the attack are still ongoing spearheaded by MI5, counter-terror cops from the Met Police, and the military.

Skripal and his daughter remain in hospital care and are feared to never wake-up after the were found collapsed on a bench in Salisbury.

The expulsions were welcomed by Mr Johnson who said on Twitter: "Today's extraordinary international response by our allies stands in history as the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever and will help defend our shared security.

“Russia cannot break international rules with impunity."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Theresa May said: "We welcome today's actions by our allies, which clearly demonstrate that we all stand shoulder to shoulder in sending the strongest signal to Russia that it cannot continue to flout international law."

Relations have plunged between Russia and the West over the past few years amid accusations of election interference, the war in Syria, the annexation of Crimea and now the attempted murder of the Skripals.