The US has expelled 12 Russian diplomats from the Russian mission to the United Nations for reasons of national security, reports the Reuters agency.
The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has told reporters that diplomats have been asked to leave the US by March 7. He said that Russia will react to this move, as it is a diplomatic practice.
The US mission to the UN also said in a statement that the 12 Russian diplomats were "intelligence operatives...who have abused their privileges of residence in the US by engaging in espionage activities that are harmful to our national security ".
"We are taking this action in accordance with the headquarters agreement. Today's action has been in the works for several months," said US mission spokeswoman Olivia Dalton.
"We are taking this action in accordance with the headquarters agreement. Today's action has started for several months," she added, reports CNN.
Russia's ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia earlier responded by saying Mills' explanation for the deportations was "not satisfactory".
Nebenzia raised the concern at the beginning of the UN Security Council meeting today, where the situation in Ukraine is being discussed.
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Russia responds to the US by expelling its diplomats
He described the US move as hostile and a violation of its commitments as host of the UN headquarters in New York.
The US deputy ambassador to the UN, Richard Mills, reacted.
"Those diplomats who have been asked to leave the US were involved in activities that were inconsistent with their responsibilities and obligations as diplomats," Mills said.
