Diplomatic spat, punitive steps will not resolve spy poisoning row

The spy poisoning row between London and Moscow has escalated dramatically after some major Western countries blamed Russia for the chemical attack on a former Russian spy, a charge that Russia denies.

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the United States condemned Russia in a joint statement on Thursday in a graphic reminder of the Cold War days.

The London-Moscow row started following the murder attempt on former Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in southwestern Britain earlier this month. Britain claimed the father-daughter pair was exposed to novichok, a militarygrade nerve agent developed by Russia.

The ongoing war of words has put a chill on Britain-Russia relations. On Wednesday, after Britain’s ultimatum for an explanation went unheeded by Russia, London announced it would expel 23 Russian diplomats, the biggest such action in 30 years.

Britain also took the diplomatic row to the United Nations Security Council in a bid to further isolate Russia on the eve of its presidential elections.

Russia has vowed tit-fortat action. Some media have called the situation a “Cool War,” meaning a mini Cold War. With Washington, Berlin and Paris joining London, the Cool War seems to be scaling up, and Russia’s relations with these major Western countries are very likely to deteriorate.

The British government is right to want to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, diplomatic spats and punitive steps lead to no solution.

All relevant parties need to handle this issue through appropriate channels. As Chinese Ambassador to the UN Ma Zhaoxu said, a comprehensive, objective and impartial investigation should be conducted based on facts and in accordance with international laws, reaching an evidence-based conclusion that can stand the test of facts and history.

In this complex and volatile world, mankind faces common challenges. It is hoped that Britain and Russia, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, can strengthen dialogue and consultation to work out a solution to the dispute at an early date.