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Deutsche Welle: Why are Russia and the West allowed to spy on each other?

Published March 29, 2018 at 11:02 am

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 26: A vehicle exits the Embassy of the Russian Federation March 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The United States government announced Monday that it will expel 60 Russian intelligence officers and order the Russian government to close its consulate in Seattle in response to Russia's alleged attempt to murder a former spy living in the United Kingdom. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

Photo by AFP

At least 25 countries have joined the UK in expelling Russian diplomats in response to the nerve agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury earlier this month.

The UK is convinced agents backed by Russia were behind the attack. Its allies in the European Union and NATO appear to agree.