Questions about Obama’s motives are topping headlines after he ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats and the closing of at least two diplomatic buildings this week in response to the yet-to-be-proven hacking of election systems. And Russian officials are furious.
And now one wonders whether all of this may just be international political sabotage as Obama exits stage left in just three weeks.
Here’s more from Newsmax:
President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats Thursday and closed two Russian compounds in New York and Maryland in executive orders to punish Moscow for harassment against American diplomats and cyberattacks that interfered in the presidential election.
“These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior,” Obama said in a statementannouncing the actions.
“All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions,” he added. “Such activities have consequences.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry ripped the sanctions, saying they added to “already destroyed” relations between the United States and Moscow.
The sanctions require the 35 diplomats from the Russian embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco to leave the United States within 72 hours.
They were declared persona non grata for acting in a “manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status.”
In addition, access to the two compounds, used by Russian officials for intelligence gathering, will be denied to all Moscow officials as of noon Friday, according to the orders.
