Photo taken on March 14, 2018 shows a general view of the exterior of the Russian Embassy in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Stephen Chung)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Tuesday joined 25 governments around the world to expel Russian diplomats over a nerve-agent attack on a former spy in Britain, an unprecedented collective action which London labeled as a "turning point" in the West's relations with Moscow.
However, underneath the moment of unity between the United States and its European allies, there are longstanding discord and distrust between the two sides of the Atlantic on strategies, interests and policies.
A RARE SHOW OF UNITY
The United States announced Monday that it would expel 60 Russian diplomats and close the Russian Consulate in Seattle to retaliate for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer, and his daughter in London earlier in March.
On March 15, the United States, Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement condemning Russia over the incident, which was followed by the European Union (EU). The EU said last week it was recalling its ambassador to Russia.
At least 24 nations, including the United States and 17 EU members, have pledged to expel Russian diplomats.
On Tuesday NATO joined the alliance, declaring it would withdraw the accreditation of seven staff members at the Russian Mission to NATO and to deny pending accreditation requests for three other Russian diplomats following the "attack in Salisbury" against Skripal and his daughter.
"Those consultations have resulted so far in the expulsion of over 140 Russian officials by over 25 NATO Allies and partners," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement.
"This is a broad, strong and coordinated international response. And as part of that response, NATO is unified in taking further steps," the statement added.
Despite NATO's support of Britain and its urge for Russia to address Britain's questions on March 14 and 15, Stoltenberg said that the alliance remained committed to a dual-track approach of strong defense and openness to dialogue, including by working to prepare the next meeting of the NATO-Russia Council.
Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench at a shopping center in Salisbury earlier this month.
They remain in critical condition after exposure to a nerve agent, which, according to the British authorities, could have originated from Russia.
Moscow has denied any involvement in the incident.
After European Council President Donald Tusk's announcement that a total of 14 EU countries would be teaming up with fellow member Britain in ordering out Russian diplomats, British Prime Minister Theresa May praised the "great solidarity" with Britain shown by the EU, North America, NATO and beyond.
She also warned that the West needs to develop a long-term response to the "renewed Russian threat."
DISCORD UNDERNEATH
In spite of the seemingly unified confrontational stance on Russia, there have been voices within these countries calling for dialogue.
