Robust response expected from Moscow

THERESA May has said she will consider the “full range” of options against Russia but whatever she does is likely to result in a robust response from Moscow.

Possible actions include expelling some of the 58 Russian diplomats based in the UK, imposing more economic sanctions, creating travel bans and visa restrictions or an act to freeze assets of

Russian individuals connected to human rights abuses.

The Prime Minister could also cancel the UK broadcast licence of Russian state broadcaster RT, withdraw British dignitaries from this summer’s World Cup in Russia or even mount a cyber-attack.

Moscow has already made it clear that any punitive actions by

Britain will lead to a tit-for-tat retaliation. “The British side should be aware of that,” said the Russian Embassy.

Indeed, Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman, has warned: “Not a single British mass media outlet will work in our country if they close Russia Today.”

One key factor for the UK Government will be the level of international support for its actions.

France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Angela Merkel have expressed solidarity but have not directly pointed the finger at Russia.

The Baltic states also expressed their backing for Britain with Latvia urging Nato and the EU to agree on retaliatory action.