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Spokesperson for US Embassy in Russia among expelled diplomats — source

Olson’s deputy Andrea Kalan would fulfill her duties, according to a source

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. Spokesperson for the US Embassy in Moscow Maria Olson is among 60 American diplomats expelled from Russia, a diplomatic source told TASS on Monday.

The US Embassy in Russia said on Monday that Olson’s deputy Andrea Kalan would fulfill her duties.

In a show of solidarity with London’s stance over the alleged poisoning of former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, the United States declared 60 Russian diplomats personae non gratae on March 26. Among them are 46 diplomats from the embassy in Washington, two from the consulate general in New York and 12 more from Russia’s mission to the United Nations.

On March 29, US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman was summoned to Russia’s Foreign Ministry to be notified that Russia declared 58 diplomats of the US Embassy in Moscow and two staff members of the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg personae non gratae, they were ordered to leave the country by April 5. Besides, Russia revoked the consent to the operation of the US consulate-general in St. Petersburg.