The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has rejected the "unprovoked expulsion" by Russia of two diplomats, saying that the United States "will respond appropriately." A U.S. Embassy spokesperson said on September 14 that Russia had "chosen confrontation and escalation over constructive diplomatic engagement." Russia's Foreign Ministry announced earlier the same day that First Secretary Jeffrey Sillin and Second Secretary David Bernstein must leave the country within seven days, saying they carried out "illegal activities" by maintaining contact with a Russian citizen, Robert Shonov, who is suspected of collaborating with a foreign state. Shonov was employed by the U.S. Consulate in Vladivostok for more than 25 years before Russia terminated the U.S. mission's local staff in 2021. Shonov was arrested in August for allegedly collecting information about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and related issues for U.S. diplomats.
U.S. Will 'Respond Appropriately' To Russian Expulsion Of Diplomats
Robert Shonov is escorted by officers to the courtroom at the Lefortovo district court in Moscow in May.