"The Security Service of Ukraine has closed the possibility to enter Ukraine for 60 Russian nationals, who have been expelled from the United States… The five-year ban is imposed on 48 diplomats from the Russian embassy [in Washington] and 12 people from the UN [mission] in New York, who have been expelled from the United States on March 26," the statement said.
On Monday, US authorities expelled 60 Russian diplomats and closed the Russian Consulate General in Seattle after Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy who worked for UK intelligence, and his daughter Yulia were exposed to what UK experts claim was an A234 nerve agent.
Skripal, who also worked for UK intelligence, and his daughter Yulia have been in hospital since March 4 due to exposure to what UK experts say is the A234 nerve agent. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has accused Russia of orchestrating the attack and expelled 23 Russian diplomats, while the European Union and several other states, including Ukraine, have expressed solidarity.
Russia has strongly rejected the accusations and offered to assist in the investigation. Following the decision of several countries to expel diplomats, Moscow has responded to the expulsions by taking mirror measures with regard to the states that have made such decisions.