U.K. says poisoned ex-spy improving

LONDON — The former Russian spy who was left fighting for his life after exposure to a rare nerve agent is no longer in critical condition, a British health official said Friday.

The mysterious poisoning in a quiet English city a month ago triggered a diplomatic crisis between Moscow and the West.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a bench March 4 in Salisbury and were hospitalized for weeks in critical condition.

British authorities blame Russia for what they say was poisoning with a military-grade Soviet-developed nerve agent called Novichok. Russia denies the accusation.

Dr. Christine Blanshard, the medical director at Salisbury District Hospital, said in a statement that 66-year-old Sergei Skripal “is responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition.”

Yulia Skripal, 33, regained consciousness last week and is now in stable condition, she said.

Russian state television on Thursday played a recording of what they said was a phone call from Yulia to her cousin, Viktoria Skripal, in Russia. In it, Yulia said she would be discharged soon.

Blanshard said Friday that Yulia Skripal could “look forward to the day when she is well enough to leave the hospital,” but called any speculation about her release date “just that — speculation.”

The poisoning has chilled relations between Russia and the West, producing a wave of diplomatic expulsions.

Britain, the U.S. and at least two dozen other U.K. allies, have expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats. Russia has sent home the same number.