Washington, March 28: US President Dold Trump on Tuesday spoke with leaders of France and Germany on the expulsion of Russian diplomats. Earlier on Monday, he also spoke with Cadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to coordite stances on the issue. The White House said Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. The three tions on Monday announced to expel Russian diplomats over the poisoning attack of former Russian double agent Skripal and his daughter in Britain’s southwestern city of Salisbury on March 4.
In his call with Macron, Trump and the French top leader expressed support for the West’s “strong response” to the Russia-related incident, including the expulsion of a large number of Russian intelligence officers on both sides of the Atlantic. In the call, Trump also stressed the need to intensify cooperation with Turkey with respect to shared strategic challenges in Syria. In a separate call with Merkel, Trump reaffirmed with her the cooperative relationship between the two countries.
Both leaders praised the joint announcements from North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allies, EU member states and other countries to expel “undeclared Russian intelligence officers” in solidarity with Britain and in response to Russia’s alleged use of chemical weapons, said the White House. (IANS)