Belgium: Russian Poisoning case: Eight more Russians sent packing from Belgium

Eight more Russian diplomats are to be sent packing from Belgium and one from Ireland, but Russia's EU envoy is to stay in place.

The Belgian tally included seven to be expelled from Russia's mission to Nato, which is located in Brussels, and one from Russia's embassy to Belgium.

"Russia has underestimated the unity of Nato allies," Nato head Jens Stoltenberg said, announcing the move, which came in response to Russia's attempt to kill a former spy in England using a chemical weapon earlier this month.

"It sends a very clear message to Russia that it [its UK attack] has costs," he added.

The Belgian prime minister's office said it was committed to an "open and frank dialogue" with Moscow despite its move.

The Irish leader, Leo Varadkar, said the same day that he had expelled a Russian diplomat despite his country's history of neutrality in European conflicts.

Read more: Eight more Russians sent packing from Belgium

Russian Poisoning Case: The Russian Exodus: Over 100 Russian diplomats expelled from Europe and US

 Some 100 Russian diplomats were expelled from 15 European Union (EU) countries, Canada, Ukraine and the US,  in a show of solidarity with Britain over a nerve agent attack on a former spy

The British government blames Moscow for the hospitalization of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, using a powerful nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. London has been seeking support from EU and NATO allies during an escalating diplomatic row with the Kremlin after they expelling 23 Russian diplomats on March 14

The EU ambassador representing the EU Commission in Bruxelles was also recently recalled in protest.

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