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News > World

Expelled Russian Diplomats Leave United States

  • U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk into a photo opp at the U.N. General Assembly in New York Sept. 28, 2015.

    U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin walk into a photo opp at the U.N. General Assembly in New York Sept. 28, 2015. | Photo: Reuters

Published 1 January 2017
Opinion

Hacking allegations prompted the U.S. president to take the action against Russia, but the Russian leader opted not to retaliate.

Russian diplomats who were expelled by order of U.S. President Barack Obama left Washington Sunday, Russian news agencies reported, citing Russia's embassy.

"The plane took off, everyone has left," RIA agency quoted the embassy's press service as saying.

Obama ordered the expulsion of 35 suspected Russian spies and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over the hacking of U.S. political groups during the 2016 presidential election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin decided not to expel anyone in retaliation, saying he would consider the actions of President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, when deciding on further steps in Russia-U.S. relations.

Several progressive commentators have been skeptical of the U.S.’s accusations against Russia, saying that there has been no evidence suggesting Putin’s government was behind the hacks on the Democratic Party.

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