- Australia is expelling two Russian diplomats in solidarity with the global response to the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal in the UK earlier this month.
- The attack was the first offensive use of nerve agent in Europe since World War II.
- The decision follows more than a dozen other nations expelling Russian officials.
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'Brazen, criminal attack': Australia just expelled Russian diplomats over the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal
Russian diplomats were also expelled from 14 European countries on Monday.
Australia said on Tuesday it would expel two Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal with a nerve agent in the UK earlier this month.
Two Russian diplomats identified as "undeclared intelligence officers" would be directed to leave Australia within seven days for "ac
In a press conference, Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull called this a "shocking crime, a shocking infringement on the sovereignty of the UK."
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"The brazen and criminal attack was an attack on all of us," Turnbull added.
The UK attack, which targeted Skripal at a busy shopping center, was the first offensive use of nerve agent in Europe since World War II.
"Such an attack cannot be tolerated by any sovereign nation," the statement said, adding that the assassination attempt was part of a "pattern of reckless and deliberate conduct by the Russian state."
Foreign Affairs minister Julie Bishop told reporters she expects Russia will expel a "commensurate" number of Australian diplomats in response, and that Australia is preparing for that situation to unfold at its Moscow Embassy.
Turnbull also touted a "long range" of further actions that could be taken in response to Russia's actions, including further sanctions and Australia's attendance at the World Cup in Russia.
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The last time Australia expelled diplomats was in 2012, when Syria's
Other nations have expeled Russian officials
The decision follows several other nations expelling Russian officials in response to the attack.
Last week, the UK expelled 23 Russian diplomats and their families to Moscow, citing national security concerns. UK Prime Minister Theresa May claimed that those discharged were spies working under diplomatic cover.
The US followed suit with the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats from the US-based Russian Embassy and permanent mission to the UN. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday
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More than a dozen other countries have joined calls to eject Russian officials.
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