Canada to expel 4 Russian diplomats and diapprove credentials of 3 others

"The four have been identified as intelligence officers or individuals who have used their diplomatic status to undermine Canada's security or interfere in our democracy," Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

Theresa May, British Prime Minister had reportedly said her government had concluded that that Russia was probably responsible for the attack on Skripal, a former Russian spy, and his daughter in Salisbury.

Nerve agent attack of March 4 on Canada's close ally and partner, Skripal and his daughter and leaving them in critical condition in Britain, was said to be "a despicable, heinous and reckless act" Freeland was reported to state.

As well, three applications by the Russian government for additional diplomatic staff in Canada will reportedly be denied.

Canada's decision, Freeland said, was in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and on Consular Relations as well as diplomatic action taken by the U.S. and several European Union (EU) nations.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump had reportedly discussed on the phone Monday and said measures taken by Canada and the United States were to support their common ally against Russia in response to the nerve agent attack in Salisbury.

The U.S. administration sent a message Monday to Russia's leaders that it would be expelling 60 Russian diplomats, and ordering the closure of Russia's consulate in Seattle in response to the attack.

This action was condemned by Russia, who threatened to retaliate against Canada.

A statement by Russian embassy in Ottawa was issued on Twitter said Canada's decision was both deplorable and outrageous."

"By taking for granted the totally baseless British accusations, in stark violation of due process ahead of ongoing investigation, if any, of the Skripal case, Canada obediently follows the US/UK designed dangerous confrontational policy. This unfriendly move under false and biased pretext delivers yet another serious blow to Russian-Canadian relations and will be met with resolve and reciprocity,"
the statement read.

Freeland stated that Canada was "taking these measures in solidarity with the United Kingdom,"

"These measures are not aimed at the Russian people, with whom Canadians have long and fruitful ties. Canada remains committed to dialogue and co-operation with Russia on issues where we face common challenges. The nerve agent attack represents a clear threat to the rules-based international order and to the rules that were established by the international community to ensure chemical weapons would never again destroy human lives."

'For national security reasons I can't get into that,' Canada's Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was reported to state.

Piotr Dutkiewicz, a professor and Russian foreign relations expert at Carleton University, warned that Canada was jeopardizing its relations with Russia especially in matters touching on the Arctic.

The Russian diplomats will have 10 days to leave the country.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)