UN spokesman confirms US expels another Russian working at international body

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US expelled another Russian national working at the United Nations, a spokesman for the international body confirmed Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "We regret that we find ourselves in this situation but are engaging with the host country."

The move comes one day after the US Mission to the UN said it was expelling 12 Russian diplomats at the UN for allegedly engaging in espionage activities.

"The U.S. has informed the Russian Mission that we are beginning the process of expelling 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their privileges of residency in the U.S. by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security," Olivia Dalton, spokeswoman for the US Mission to the UN, said on Twitter.

"We are taking this action in accordance with the headquarters agreement. Today’s action has been in the works for several months," she added.

Russia's envoy to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said Monday there would be a response from Moscow to the US move.

Russia has come under intense criticism from the West, including the US, for attacking Ukraine since Thursday. Moscow's military actions have triggered sanctions and global condemnation.