Photo by Gary Raynaldo  / ©Diplomatic Times /  The Embassy of Russia  on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, D.C. is the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation to the United States.  Demonstrators gathered outside the Embassy after Russian troops had begun their anticipated invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.  D.C. Police blocked off the entrance of the Embassy  with yellow tape after “Murder” was spray painted on the sidewalk outside the building. 

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  DC  –  The US is expelling 12 Russian diplomats at the United Nations for engaging in alleged espionage activities. In addition, the US expelled Russia’s second-ranking diplomat in Washington in retaliation for the Russian expulsion of the No. 2 U.S. diplomat in Moscow last month.  

“The United States has informed the United Nations and the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations that we are beginning the process of expelling twelve intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their privileges of residency in the United States by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security. We are taking this action in accordance with the UN Headquarters Agreement.”

-U.S. Mission to the United Nations Spokesperson Olivia Dalton

The UN diplomats were asked to leave by Monday March 7.   Minister Counselor Sergey Trepelkov, the No. 2 Russian diplomat in the U.S. under Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov, was expelled after the State Department notified the Russian Embassy of the decision, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. Expels Moscow’s Second Highest Ranking Diplomat at   Washington  Embassy 

Photo by Gary Raynaldo  / ©Diplomatic Times /  The Embassy of Russia  on Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, D.C. is the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation to the United States. 

Photo by Gary Raynaldo  / ©Diplomatic Times /  Anti-Putin placard  ‘STOP  PUTIN’  on tree outside  Embassy of  Russia  in Washington, D.C. 

Photo by Gary Raynaldo  / ©Diplomatic Times /  Anti-Putin placard  ‘STOP THE WAR    PUTIN IS  EVIL’   on  ground outside  the Embassy of  Russia  in Washington, D.C.