Russia expels U.S. Deputy Ambassador Bartle Gorman

Russia has expelled U.S. Deputy Ambassador Bartle Gorman from the country, RIA Novosti reported on Thursday, February 17, citing embassy spokesperson Jason Rebholz.

“Russia expelled U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) to Russia Bart Gorman. Gorman was the second most senior official at the U.S. embassy in Moscow after the ambassador, and a key member of the embassy’s senior leadership,” Rebholz said, as quoted by RIA Novosti. 

Washington considers Gorman’s expulsion from Russia an “escalatory step” and is weighing a response, Rebholz added. 

Russia has yet to comment on these reports.

Tensions over Ukraine have led to a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Russia relations in recent months. Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops along its western border and in Belarus, stoking fears of another incursion into Ukraine. U.S. officials warn that Russia could launch an attack on Ukraine at any time. Moscow has denied these reports, insisting that the troop movements are part of military drills and accusing Washington of deliberately escalating the situation around Ukraine.