The British government personally blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for assassination of Russian ex-double agent Sergei Skripal. The decision to act was "overwhelmingly likely" taken by Putin himself, said British foreign Minister Boris Johnson. The Wrath of London is against Kremlin, not against Russian people.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow rejected accusations immediately and vehemently. "Any reference or mention of our President in this regard is nothing more than a shocking and unforgivable violation of diplomatic etiquette," he said according to Russian news agency Tass: "We have already Different levels mentioned several times that we have nothing to do with this story. "
Skripal and his daughter were unconsciously found on a bench in front of a shopping mall in Salisbury on March 4. They have since been in critical condition in a hospital. Prime Minister Theresa May had visited Salisbury on Thursday to talk to police, rescue workers and residents and to inform about health of victims. However, it did not give an official opinion on how two are going.
According to authorities, y were poisoned with a drug from group of Nowitschok nerve toxins that Soviet military had developed in 1970s and 1980s. A police officer who investigated case was also poisoned. Britain and its Western Allies USA, France and Germany see Russia behind attack; Or governments have joined.
The head of opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, warned of a premature condemnation of Moscow. Even mafia-like gangs in Russia could be responsible for deed, he said in interviews. A "new Cold War" must be prevented. Corbyn was also criticized in his own party for his remarks.
Russia wants to respond to sanctionsBritain has announced expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats in response to attack. Russia has reaffirmed its desire to take retaliatory measures. "Of course," Russia will have British diplomats, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kazakh Astana. He did not make any information about when this was to happen and how many diplomats would it. A spokesman for Russian presidential office said in morning that Russian reaction could be announced at any moment. The Russian ambassador to United Kingdom, Alexander Jakowenko, also announced that his country would exert "maximum pressure" on British government.
According to Lawrows words, Russia also relies on a statement by victim Skripal. "Why don't we just ask person concerned if he's hopefully better?" he said: "Most likely he can give some information about what happened that day when tragedy happened." The Kremlin had previously criticized rhetoric of British defense minister Gavin Williamson as rowdy. He said in Britain on Thursday, "Russia should go away and shut up." The Russian Ambassador Jakowenko spoke of a "Antirussenkampagne" on Friday.
Date Of Update: 17 March 2018, 12:02
