Moscow orders the expulsion of diplomats from nineteen nations as retaliation after those nations expelled Russian diplomats as a show of support to the United Kingdom over the poisoning of former

Russian double agent, Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal on March 14 in the Salisbury, England.

The Russia Federation has expelled diplomats from the following countries: thirteen Ukrainian, four Canadian, two Spanish, four Polish, four German, three Czech, three Moldovan, three Lithuanian, two Italian, two Dutch and two Danish, one Finn, one Latvian, one Swede, one Norwegian, one Romanian, one Croatian and one Irish diplomat, as well as an Estonian military attache.





Moscow reserved the right to respond to Belgium, Hungary, Montenegro and Georgia with regard to their actions over the Skripal case. According to Sputnik.





German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in response to the expulsion of German envoys said:

"This message from Moscow is not surprising, we had not taken the decision to expel the Russian diplomats lightly. Our reaction in the case of Skripal was necessary and appropriate as a political signal."

"Nevertheless, even in the current situation, we remain committed to dialogue with Russia and will work for European security and a constructive future for relations between our countries."





Speaking about the expelled Russian diplomats Maas said Russia had "refused to give any clarification" on the matter, confirming that Germany is supporting UK.





Russia demands that the British embassy in Moscow must reduce its staff to match the number of Russian diplomats remaining in London.





Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman said Friday

"Russia did not unleash any diplomatic wars. President (Vladimir) Putin was and remains a supporter of establishing and developing good relations with all countries from the very beginning, including the United States."

"You know that Russia was forced to take retaliatory steps in response to those unfriendly, nonconstructive and unlawful actions, in this case, related to the expulsion of our diplomats and the closure of the consular post." He said referring to US moves.

"Russia remains open to establishing good relations, we want these relations."





The U.S said Russia are playing the victim card.

Heather Nauert, US State Department spokeswoman said that Moscow "should not be acting like a victim" citing that the only victims are Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia Skripal and other people affected in the English city of Salisbury.