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Putin Calm at Diplomat Expulsions by U.S.
Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday played down an espionage snarl with the United States, saying that it was unlikely to derail bilateral relationship.
"I have no particular opinion about that," said the president while leaving a press conference held jointly with Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson after attending the European Union summit in Stockholm.
Asked whether the spy row would cause serious tension in relations with the Americans, the Russian president replied: "I do not think so."
The United States has decided to expel more than 50 Russian diplomats suspected of undercover intelligence activities in the United States.
Russia soon reacted by announcing on Friday the expulsion of four Moscow-based U.S. diplomats as the Russian foreign ministry explained that the American officials were being expelled for activities incompatible with their diplomatic status.
The wording is a familiar euphemism for espionage.
Before Friday's move, Russia had threatened to "adequately respond" to the expulsions and indicated an equivalent number of U. S. diplomats would soon be sent for home. Moscow is yet to confirm claims by the U.S. state department that Russia also intended to send 46 other diplomats to leave later on.
In another development, U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday called for "realistic, normal relations" with Russia in the wake of the decision to expel Russian diplomats.
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