Daily Nation Newspaper

EU recalls Russia envoy after nerve agent attack

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BRUSSELS - The EU has recalled its ambassador to Moscow after leaders agreed it was “highly likely” Russia was responsibl­e for a nerve agent attack in the UK.

The European Council of EU leaders said there was “no plausible alternativ­e.”

Moscow denies responsibi­lity for the attack on an ex-spy and his daughter and said the EU was following an “anti-Russian campaign launched by London.”

Meanwhile, British diplomats expelled from Russia have left the embassy in Moscow ahead of Russia’s deadline.

Russia decided to expel the British diplomats in a tit-for-tat response to the UK’s expulsion of 23 of its diplomats.

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia remain in a critical but stable condition after the attack on 4 March.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said the Salisbury poisoning is “part of a pattern of Russian aggression against Europe.”

The EU said its ambassador to Russia, German Markus Ederer, was recalled “for consultati­ons” and was expected in Brussels over the weekend.

The European Council statement added: “We stand in unqualifie­d solidarity with the United Kingdom in the face of this grave challenge to our shared security.”

In response, Russia’s foreign ministry said: “We regret that the EU chose to follow another anti-Russian campaign launched by London and its allies from across the ocean with the obvious purpose of creating yet another obstacle to normalisin­g the situation on the European continent.”

May briefed her counterpar­ts on Thursday on the poisoning of the Skripals, who were found unconsciou­s on a bench in Salisbury.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who became ill after responding to the incident, is no longer in a serious condition and has been discharged from hospital.

 ??  ?? UK Prime Minister Theresa May
UK Prime Minister Theresa May

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