US Defense Officials Blast Russia For 'Reckless' Behavior

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The top U.S. defense official chastised Russia for dangerous and reckless behavior, saying it was "pretty obvious" Moscow was behind the use of a military-grade nerve agent against a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain.

"Attempted murder of a man and his daughter. How's that for starters?" U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters Tuesday at the Pentagon when asked to describe the incident that has since touched off a diplomatic backlash against Russia.

The White House said as of Tuesday, more than 25 countries had expelled 150 Russian intelligence officers "hiding under diplomatic cover" and that Washington hoped more nations would follow Washington's lead.

"We're certainly applying pressure on Russia. We're certainly encouraging and working with our allies and partners also to do so," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, calling the number of countries taking a stand against Russia's actions "unprecedented."

The comments from both the Pentagon and the White House followed action from NATO earlier Tuesday, which announced it is expelling seven Russian diplomats and denying accreditation to three others as part of a "broad, strong and coordinated" international response.