U.S. State Department: “There are consequences for unacceptable behavior.”
Russia expels two US diplomats… Alleged involvement in espionage

CNN reported on the 6th (local time) that the United States designated two diplomats from the Russian embassy in the United States as diplomatically avoided and expelled them. This is in response to Russia expelling two American diplomats last month.

In written comments to CNN, a State Department spokesperson said the decision was in response to the “unjust expulsion of two members of the U.S. embassy in Moscow,” adding, “The State Department has designated the two Russian embassy employees working in the U.S. as ‘diplomatically reprehensible persons.’” ),” he said.

In addition, he emphasized, “The Department of State will not tolerate the Russian government’s pattern of harassing our diplomats going forward,” and added, “This action sends a clear message that there will be consequences for unacceptable behavior toward our embassy staff in Moscow.” .

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 14th of last month that it had designated Jeff Silin and David Bernstein, diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Russia, as ‘diplomatically avoidable persons (persona non grata).’

This is because they were in contact with Robert Shonov, a former employee of the U.S. Consulate General in Vladivostok, who was indicted on espionage charges. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) believes that Shonov has been collecting information under the direction of Silin and Bernstein since September of last year.

At the time, the U.S. State Department objected, calling the measure unfounded and announcing that it would respond accordingly.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller criticized, “The unprovoked expulsion of our diplomats is completely groundless,” and added, “Russia has chosen confrontation and escalation of tensions instead of constructive diplomatic intervention.”

“They continue to harass our embassy staff just as they continue to threaten their own citizens,” he said. “We regret that Russia has taken this path, and you can expect that we will respond appropriately to their actions.” “He said.

[워싱턴=뉴시스]

Source: Donga