You're reading: RFE/RL: Russian Embassy complains about US removal of flag at closed Consulate

RFE/RL: Russian Embassy complains about US removal of flag at closed Consulate

Published May 3, 2018 at 11:38 am

The Russian flag flutters on the rooftop of the Russian embassy in Kyiv on March 28, 2018.Ukraine is to expel 13 Russian diplomats as part of a coordinated effort by European nations and the US to punish Russia over an attack on a former Russian spy in England. Poroshenko announced Monday. "In response to a cynical chemical attack in Salisbury, Ukraine, in the spirit of solidarity with our British partners and transatlantic allies and in coordination with EU countries, decided to expel 13 Russian diplomats from the few that remain (in Kyiv)," Poroshenko said in a statement.

Photo by AFP

The Russian Embassy in Washington has demanded that a flag removed from the now-closed Russian Consulate in Seattle be put back.

The embassy claims that the U.S. removal of the flag “under the cloak of night” over the weekend violated international law and was “unacceptable treatment” of the Russian national symbol.