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Trump, Merkel Praise NATO's Sanctions Against Russia - White House

© AP Photo / Jacquelyn MartinSecretary of Defense Jim Mattis answers a question from a reporter during his meeting with Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Monday, March 26, 2018, at the Pentagon
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis answers a question from a reporter during his meeting with Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Monday, March 26, 2018, at the Pentagon - Sputnik International
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Earlier in the day, NATO also introduced anti-Russian measures over the Skripal case, which had already been supported by a number of the EU states, as well as by the US, Canada and Australia.

US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel applauded the decision of NATO and some European Union nations to expel Russian diplomats over the Sergei Skripal case, the White House said in a readout after a phone call between the two leaders on Tuesday.

“Both leaders praised the joint announcements from North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allies, European Union member states, and other partners to expel undeclared Russian intelligence officers in solidarity with the United Kingdom and in response to Russia’s reckless use of chemical weapons,” the readout said.

Previously, another US official commented on NATO's move: US General Jim "Mad Dog" Mattis delivered a strong message to Moscow, stating that the decision of NATO to withdraw accreditation of seven members of the Russian mission was a statement to those who doubted the unity of the alliance.

READ MORE: OPCW May End Analysis of Substance Used for Skripal Poisoning Within 2-3 Weeks

Mattis also called the Skripal's poisoning "attempted murder," adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be held responsible as the head of state.

The defense secretary went on to say that though Russia has the potential to be a partner with Europe, but right now the country has chosen "to seek a different relationship with the NATO members."

British Military personnel wearing protective coveralls work to remove a vehicle connected to the March 4 nerve agent attack in Salisbury, from a residential street in Gillingham, southeast England on March 14, 2018 - Sputnik International
Russian Envoy Assumes Skripal's Case a Convenient Pretext to Expel Diplomats
The statements from the American side came after NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg announced sanctions against Russia in connection to the poisoning of the Skripals, which has been blamed on Moscow.

Earlier, in response to the Skripal case, US President Donald Trump ordered the removal of 60 Russian diplomats, which is the largest expulsion in the history of US-Russia ties. The US move came despite Trump's previous promise to improve relations with Moscow.

All in all, on Monday, about 100 Russian diplomats were expelled from 16 European countries, as well as the US, Canada and Australia. Commenting on the move, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that anti-Russian measures introduced over the Skripal case demonstrate how few independent countries remain in the modern world.

READ MORE: Theresa May Promises More Long-Term Measures Against Russia

On March 4, British intelligence agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia were exposed to a poisonous substance. The British side claimed that the Russian state was involved in the case, as nerve agent A-234 was allegedly developed in the Soviet Union. These purported conclusions prompted the UK to remove 23 Russian diplomats in response.

Russia denies all these claims, calling them unfounded and suggested its participation in the investigation into the case.

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