SPY POISONING: UK PM May calls for ‘long term response’ against Russia

Hours after NATO followed member states in expelling Russian diplomats over the poisoning of a double agent in England, UK Prime Minister Theresa May has called for a long term response by the West against Moscow.

May who made the call while speaking to senior cabinet members in London on Tuesday said countries had acted against Russia not just out of solidarity but because they recognised the threat it posed.

“Yesterday was a significant moment in our response to this reckless act of aggression, but there is still more to be done as we work with international partners on a long-term response to the challenge posed by Russia,” her spokesman reported May as saying.

Read also: POISONING OF SPY: US joins row

The United States also expelled 60 Russian diplomats two days after Poland, Lithuania and Latvia recalled their envoys from Moscow over the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia.

The White House in a statement said the decision to close the Russian consulate in Seattle was taken to back its closest ally (Britain) and the announcement also came as the EU confirmed that 16 countries under its umbrella have announced that they will expel 31 Russian diplomats.

Russia, which has denies any part in the March 4 attack on the Skripals, says the West’s action is a “provocative gesture” and has said it will respond.

 

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