Donald Trump’s State Department has confirmed that Russia can replace the 60 diplomats expelled from the United States this week.
“Donald Trump on Monday ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats the US identified as intelligence agents and the closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle, the most forceful action Trump has taken against Russia to date,” CNN reported at the time. “Of those being expelled, 48 of the alleged intelligence agents work at the Russian embassy in Washington and 12 are posted at the United Nations in New York.”
According to Julia Davis of the Russian Media Monitor, the investigative reporter who “watches Russia’s state TV so you don’t have to,” Russia was advised by the United States that “the doors are open.”
Davis cited Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s take:
Davis’ report was then confirmed with the State Department by USA Today’s Oren Dorell:
Dorell provided the full statement, which notes that the United States is “not requiring the Russian bilateral mission to reduce its total number of personnel.”
Business Insider also confirmed the reports with the State Department, noting “that the White House’s diplomatic expulsion will not require Russia to reduce its staffing levels in the US, and vice versa.”
“In other words,” the outlet continued, “the 60 diplomats who were kicked out — many of whom were undercover intelligence operatives— can be replaced by others.”
The confirmation follows NBC’s report that Trump has instructed his aides “not to talk publicly about Russia policy moves.” At the time, the White House declined to comment.
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