MOSCOW – Russia has decided to expel 23 British diplomats who must leaveMoscow within a week, its foreign ministry said on Saturday, after ameeting with Britain’s ambassador to Russia, Laurie Bristow.

In retaliation for British Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to kickout 23 Russians, Moscow has also decided to close the British Council inRussia and to withdraw permission for Britain to open a general consulatein St Petersburg, the ministry said in a statement. – Agencies