Moscow warns of retaliation against move
MOSCOW: Moscow warned it was preparing to retaliate against the “irresponsible” expulsion of its diplomats from London, as Britain urged its allies to take a stand against Russia over the poisoning of a former spy.
The escalating international scandal is unfolding as former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia remain in critical condition after exposure to the Soviet-designed chemical Novichok on March 4 in Salisbury.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he would announce unspecified “measures” in the coming days, condemning the attack in the “strongest possible terms”.
His office earlier backed Britain’s claim that Russia is behind the attack.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov yesterday slammed Britain’s position as “absolutely irresponsible”.
He warned that retaliatory steps would soon follow and President Vladimir Putin would choose the option that “most suits Moscow’s interests”.
Russia would respond by kicking out British diplomats, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying at an event in Moscow, adding that it would happen “soon”.
Russia has rejected demands by Britain to explain how Novichok was used on British soil, accusing May of resorting to populism and using Russia as a scapegoat.
May’s statements that Moscow is behind the poisoning are “completely crazy accusations against Russia, our entire country, our people,” Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said.
Moscow has mostly shrugged off the measures announced by May, ridiculing the prospect of the termi- nation of high-profile visits.
Zakharova further accused Britain of refusing to “grant access to Russian citizen (Yulia) Skripal” or to work with Moscow through the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and give Russia access to the substance.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told the BBC, however, that Britain is “entirely in conformity” with OPCW procedures and is sending a sample of the nerve agent to the watchdog for examination.
Johnson further appealed to international partners to “stand with us against Russia” in a Washington Post editorial, saying the poisoning is “part of a pattern of reckless behaviour by” Putin showing “reckless defiance” of international rules. — AFP
May’s statements that Moscow is behind the poisoning are completely crazy accusations against Russia, our entire country, our people. Maria Zakharova