‘Sarcasm, contempt and defiance’: UK expels 23 Russian diplomats over Salisbury incident


As a response to the Salisbury incident, Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the United Kingdom will expel 23 Russian diplomats.

The UK offered Russia the opportunity to provide an explanation, but their response has demonstrated complete disdain for the gravity of these events, she said.

“There is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian State was culpable for the attempted murder of Mr Skripal and his daughter – and for threatening the lives of other British citizens in Salisbury,” the Prime Minister stressed.

As reported earlier, Maria Zakharova, Spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, called May’s previous speech on poisoning Russian double agent Sergei Skripal a ‘circus show in the British parliament’. She and warned against threatening Russia.

The United Kingdom has decided to expel 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers. They have just one week to leave.

The PM also revoked an invitation to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. At Summer’s World Cup in Russia there will be no attendance by British ministers or members of the royal family.

Later today in New York, the UN Security Council will hold open consultations where the UK is expected to push for a robust international response.

belsat.eu

TWITTER