Some top Trump administration officials have been pushing for stricter actions toward Russia in recent weeks amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries, The New York Times reported Friday.

Senior officials have been actively considering additional sanctions and measures to take against Moscow, according to the report, following Russia's move this week to remove 60 American diplomats and close the U.S. consulate in St. Petersburg.

The Times reports that in the days leading up to his exit from the Trump administration, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE found some acceptance in the White House for adopting a tougher stance toward Russia.

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President Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE moved to expel 60 Russian diplomats from the U.S. this week, in solidarity with an initial move by Britain and other countries over the apparent Russian poisoning of a former double-agent on British soil earlier this month.

Russia, which has denied responsibility for the attack, took reciprocal action against the move this week, saying the U.S. and United Kingdom had colluded to fabricate the plot as a smear against its government.

Trump, who has remained in favor of keeping open diplomatic channels with Russia, has caught some flak from critics for remaining relatively silent on the matter this week, which has seen a daily tit for tat between Russia and the West.

Members of the Russian Parliament have condemned Trump's move to expel Russian officials, saying it was forced by critics of Trump's recent phone call congratulating President Vladimir Putin on his victory in an election widely viewed as a sham.