Russia to make adequate response to UK expulsions

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will make an "adequate and appropriate" response very shortly to Britain's expulsion of four diplomats, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters on Tuesday.

"This is a direct path to confrontation," Grushko said. "Our reaction will be adequate and appropriate."

"It is clear that London's policy will complicate if not close the doors for cooperation between law-enforcement bodies on issues directly connected to the security of millions of Russians and Britons," he said.

Grushko added that the response would take into account the interests of ordinary people and businessmen, but he gave no further details.

Britain on Monday said it was expelling four Russian diplomats because Moscow had refused to extradite businessman Andrei Lugovoy to stand trial in London for the murder of the former Russian security service officer Alexander Litvinenko.