The second-in-command of the US Embassy in Moscow has been expelled by Russia

According to the State Department, Russian officials have expelled U.S. diplomats from Moscow's Embassy of the United States.

The State Department told news outlets that deputy chief of mission of the U.S. to Russia, Bert Gorman, was expelled from the country on Feb. 17.

The spokesperson said that Russia's action against Gorman was unprovoked, but that they considered it an escalation and were considering their response.

Gorman has been in Russia less than three years and has a valid visa, according to the spokesperson.

A spokesperson for the State Department said the United States was calling on Russia to stop its baseless expulsion of diplomats and staff and to help rebuild U.S. missions. Our nations must ensure there is the necessary diplomatic staff in place to facilitate communication between their governments now more than ever.

“Gorman was the second-most-senior official at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, after the ambassador, and a key member of the embassy’s top management,” he said on Feb. 17.

18 Feb 2022