London sources reported that Britain and its allies pointed the finger directly at Moscow over the poisoning of a Russian double agent, as the Kremlin vowed prompt retaliation against the “irresponsible” expulsion of its diplomats from London. Meanwhile 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 the English city of Salisbury.
Meanwhile British Prime Minister Theresa May promised a “united stance” as she visited the scene of the attack for the first time, a day after saying Moscow was “culpable” and expelling 23 Russian diplomats among other measures. Moreover in a rare joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and the US condemned the attack as an “assault on UK sovereignty”.
Accordingly the four leaders called on Russia
to provide “full and complete disclosure” of the Soviet-era chemical program that developed Novichok. Furthermore Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called
Britain's position “absolutely irresponsible”. He warned that retaliatory steps
would soon follow and President Vladimir Putin would choose the option that
“most suits Moscow's interests”.
