Russia warned of ‘consequences’ as PM says poison use ‘outrageous’
● Sanctions not being ruled out ● Kremlin urged to come clean
Downing Street has increased pressure on Russia in warning there will be“severe consequences” for the people behind the alleged Novichok poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Foreign Secretary Dominic R aab has urged Moscow to come clean over the attack. He was due to discuss what actions to take with his German counter part yesterday, with No 10 not ruling out sanctions or fresh expulsions of diplomats.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had earlier described the use of the chemical weapon – also used in the 2018 Salisbury poisonings – as “outrageous” and vowed to ensure “justice was done” by working with international allies.
The Prime Minister’s offi - cial spokesman said Mr Raab would meet German foreign minister Heiko Maas as the UK works with international allies to form a response.
“We are committed to working with Germany, allies and international partners to demonstrate that there are severe consequences to the use of banned chemical weapons,” the spokesman said.
Pressed on whether sanctions could be imposed on Russia or diplomats expelled, the spokesman did not explicitly blame Moscow and said he would not “pre-empt what might happen next”.
He said the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons would play a key role in investigating what he described as an“attempted
murder”, and said the UK had offered support to the German investigation. Mr Johnson and his foreign secretary also met US president Donald Trump’s senior adviser Jared Kushner yesterday and, although the conversation was centred on the Middle East, it was likely Mr Navalny was discussed.
Britain has long accused Russian operatives of using the Soviet-era poison on Sergei Skripal, the former double agent targeted in the 2018 attack in the Wiltshire city.
Mr Navalny,a politician and corruption inv es ti gator, fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on 20 August before beingtr ansferred to Berlin. The 44-yearold remains on a ventilator in intensive care.
The Prime Minister said: “We have seen first-hand the deadly consequences of Novichok in the UK.
“The Russian government must now explain what happened to Mr Navalny. We will work with international partners to ensure justice is done.”
Mr Johnson was supported by his predecessor Theresa May, who was prime minister at the time of the Wiltshire attack and called the use of chemical weapons “illegal and barbaric”. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Navalny was the victim of “attempted murder by poisoning” and the aim was to “silence” the fierce opponent of Russian president Vladimir Putin.