Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, has alleged that President Vladimir Putin is to blame for his Novichok poisoning. During an inquiry into the death of an innocent bystander, Dawn Sturgess, who was exposed to the same nerve agent, he said, "I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself".

The Russian embassy in London previously dismissed the allegations about "the alleged use of the mythical Novichok" as preposterous and&nbsp;denied Russia's involvement.&nbsp;

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:135,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1972}">Novichok poisoning</h2>

In March 2018, Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury. Soon after Novichok, a highly toxic military-grade poison, was found smeared on his front door handle.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:229,&quot;w&quot;:702,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2066}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/harris-labels-trump-unstable-unhinged-over-enemy-within-comment-puts-him-on-big-screen-in-pennsylvania-767499">Harris labels Trump 'unstable, unhinged' over 'enemy within' comment, puts him on big screen in Pennsylvania</a>

Months later, Sturgess, a mother of three, died after her partner stumbled upon what appeared to be a counterfeit perfume bottle. However, the police believe that the perfume bottle was actually a vessel used by Russian spies to smuggle the deadly toxic substance.

Skripal, who has remained out of the spotlight since the attack in a statement, said,&nbsp;"I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself. I therefore think he must have at least given permission for the attack on Yulia and me." However, he acknowledged that he had no concrete evidence to back the claim.

"I have read that Putin is personally very interested in poison and likes reading books about it," his statement added.

Moscow, however, has consistently denied any involvement and dismissed British allegations as groundless.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:495,&quot;w&quot;:596,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2332}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-prosecutor-asks-3-years-3-months-jail-for-french-researcher-for-breaching-foreign-agent-law-767380">Russian court sentences French researcher to 3 years' jail for breaching 'foreign&nbsp;agent'&nbsp;law</a>

During the inquiry, lawyer Cathryn McGahey stated that the British government's view aligned with Skripal's — that Russian agents carried out the operation with Putin's consent.

Meanwhile, Adam Straw, the lawyer representing Sturgess's family, called on Putin to take responsibility.&nbsp;

"He should not cower behind the walls of the Kremlin. He should look Dawn’s family in the eyes and answer the evidence against him," Straw stated.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:680,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2517}">The 2018 poisoning</h2>

The poisoning, which left Skripal, Yulia, and a responding officer critically ill but eventually recovering, sparked a diplomatic crisis and led to the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the Cold War, reports Reuters.&nbsp;

British police have charged three Russian nationals, believed to be GRU military intelligence officers, for the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter. Two of the suspects later appeared on Russian television, claiming they were mere tourists visiting Salisbury's cathedral.&nbsp;

While no one has been charged for Sturgess's death, the inquiry heard that the discarded perfume bottle, which was thoughtlessly thrown away, contained enough poison to kill thousands.&nbsp;

"You may conclude ... that those who discarded the bottle in this way acted with a grotesque disregard for human life," said Andrew O’Connor, the inquiry's lawyer.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, has alleged that President Vladimir Putin is to blame for his Novichok poisoning. During an inquiry into the death of an innocent bystander, Dawn Sturgess, who was exposed to the same nerve agent, he said, "I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself".

Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, has alleged that President Vladimir Putin is to blame for his Novichok poisoning. During an inquiry into the death of an innocent bystander, Dawn Sturgess, who was exposed to the same nerve agent, he said, "I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself". The Russian embassy in London previously dismissed the allegations about "the alleged use of the mythical Novichok" as preposterous and denied Russia's involvement. Novichok poisoning In March 2018, Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury. Soon after Novichok, a highly toxic military-grade poison, was found smeared on his front door handle. Also read | Harris labels Trump 'unstable, unhinged' over 'enemy within' comment, puts him on big screen in Pennsylvania Months later, Sturgess, a mother of three, died after her partner stumbled upon what appeared to be a counterfeit perfume bottle. However, the police believe that the perfume bottle was actually a vessel used by Russian spies to smuggle the deadly toxic substance. Skripal, who has remained out of the spotlight since the attack in a statement, said, "I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself. I therefore think he must have at least given permission for the attack on Yulia and me." However, he acknowledged that he had no concrete evidence to back the claim. "I have read that Putin is personally very interested in poison and likes reading books about it," his statement added. Moscow, however, has consistently denied any involvement and dismissed British allegations as groundless. Also read | Russian court sentences French researcher to 3 years' jail for breaching 'foreign agent' law During the inquiry, lawyer Cathryn McGahey stated that the British government's view aligned with Skripal's — that Russian agents carried out the operation with Putin's consent. Meanwhile, Adam Straw, the lawyer representing Sturgess's family, called on Putin to take responsibility. "He should not cower behind the walls of the Kremlin. He should look Dawn’s family in the eyes and answer the evidence against him," Straw stated. The 2018 poisoning The poisoning, which left Skripal, Yulia, and a responding officer critically ill but eventually recovering, sparked a diplomatic crisis and led to the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the Cold War, reports Reuters. British police have charged three Russian nationals, believed to be GRU military intelligence officers, for the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter. Two of the suspects later appeared on Russian television, claiming they were mere tourists visiting Salisbury's cathedral. While no one has been charged for Sturgess's death, the inquiry heard that the discarded perfume bottle, which was thoughtlessly thrown away, contained enough poison to kill thousands. "You may conclude ... that those who discarded the bottle in this way acted with a grotesque disregard for human life," said Andrew O’Connor, the inquiry's lawyer. (With inputs from agencies)

Did Putin order Russian double agent Sergei Skripal's Novichok poisoning? Former Russian spy claims so

The scandal with the poisoning of the former GRU agent Sergei Skripal is gaining momentum. Meanwhile, absolutely innocent creatures suffered because of the diplomatic war between the UK and Russia.

Remember that two dead guinea pigs and a black Persian cat in a critical condition were found in the ex-spy's home. The cat was taken to the Porton Down chemical weapons lab (not to a veterinary clinic which would be more expected). In the laboratory, chemists made a weird diagnosis, which they described as a "distressed state". The cat was euthanised. Its body, as well as those of the two guinea pigs, were immediately incinerated which was confirmed by the British government.

Shortly after the Russian Embassy in London posed the question on what happened to the animals that Sergey Skripal kept in his Salisbury house, the British side, first in an unnamed leak and then as a DEFRA comment, said that "when a vet was able to access the property, two guinea pigs had sadly died. A cat was also found in a distressed state and a decision was taken by a veterinary surgeon to euthanise the animal to alleviate its suffering".

This is, however, the sort of answer that brings about still more questions. Regarding the dead guinea pigs and the malnourished cat, it is said unofficially that they were taken to the Porton Down facility and incinerated there. But it remains unclear if their remains were ever tested for toxic substances, which would constitute useful evidence, and if not, why such a decision was made.

The fact that the animals were locked inside the house for several days suggests that the police did not access the alleged crime scene, which would be very unusual for such a high profile investigation. Such treatment of pets is also hardly consistent with UK laws on animal cruelty and comes as a blatant disregard for Skripal's rights as the owner and companion of the animals.

Overall, it is difficult to avoid the impression that the animals have been disposed of as an inconvenient piece of evidence. It is also to be noted that, according to Skripal's niece Viktoria, there were two cats, not one, in the house - and the whereabouts of the second one is still unknown.

Nevertheless, the way how the UK police treat animals is absolutely awful and unacceptable. Moreover, even their bodies could cast some light on this case. Instead, we have even more questions than before.

Firstly, why were the pets sealed in the house with no food and water? How is it possible to imagine such a mockery and careless attitude towards animals? British officials must be held accountable for their decision to leave the pets inside the sealed-up house without any nutrition. In fact, their actions can be classified as animal abuse, which resulted in their death.

Secondly, no matter how cynical this may sound, any living organism remained at the place where the potential poisoning occurred could indirectly help the investigation process. You don't even need to be an expert in chemistry to understand it. The use of such a potent substance as Novichok agent might have affected the pets as well. Unfortunately, we will never know this as their bodies were eliminated. No one even asked for their owners' permission for that.

It seems like the British side is trying to cover up the tracks and destroy all the evidence. In Hollywood movies, criminals act like this when a detective tells them their version is not valid. Draw your own conclusions.

But why was the fate of Skripal's pets tragic?

Actually, there are 6 potential answers:

1.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The death of any animal is a tragedy. 
2.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Any of the bad actors described above could have actually weaponised the pets using Porton Down technology - this demonstrates the ruthlessness of the British Secret Services and their involvement with Animal Testing - such a pointless and anti-human waste of life. 
3.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The 3rd is a tragedy, because it was nearly a good news story: the escape to freedom of animals previously used in weapons testing: Apparently Porton Down uses Guinea Pigs to trial its chemical weaponry. Porton Down, as we now know, is only a few miles from Salisbury. Guinea pigs escaped from the laboratory (or from the nearby chemical weapons exercises, where perhaps they were being kept out in the field in the back of a truck - maybe to go in - like they used to use canaries in coal mines) and infected the Skripals. 
4.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The fourth - because the Skripals were unable to speak when they were found, they couldn't inform the police about the pets at home, so they were not immediately rescued. The operatives who were sent into the home were not pet lovers, had not been trained in pet welfare and didn't have the pets at the top of their mind when investigating the house. No one thought to mention the welfare of the pets to a senior officer, everyone just assumed they would be OK - like when people leave their dogs in a car. Or if someone did mention it during the initial police investigation, no written note was made and it did not form part of the briefing to the ChemWeaps team who went to seal up the house. They just sealed up the house from the outside and didn’t think to check the inside for pets. That is a tragedy, because just one thought might have saved three innocent lives. 
5.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The fifth, the evidence from a proper examination of the pets while alive could have exonerated Russia from all suspicion. This is a tragedy for the fair conduct of the the enquiry and, potentially, a tragedy for world peace. 
6.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;This seems the most unlikely, but sometimes it is the unlikely that stacks up - particularly if it is a series of errors that leads to the outcome, rather than any multi-party conspiracy being required: PETA ("People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals") were the first to go on record about the pets in the UK. PETA are a UK-based, European Organisation. It also has significant presence in the US, where it has been the subject of newspaper criticism. In Sweden, which is one of the countries identified by Russia, as producing Novichok, there is also an active animal rights scene - they have had more success than the same organisations in the UK in raising the bar for animal protection. It is possible that Skripal had been reported to PETA by one of his neighbours - for animal cruelty in leaving them alone for extended periods of time. Perhaps Djurens Ratt (a 100-year-old animal protection body) picked up the report and decided to pay back Skripal. This would have been fine, had the guinea pigs lived outside (as is most common in the UK - it is possible that Skripal had only brought them indoors because of the recent exceptionally cold weather) or if there had been a catflap in fact neither was the case. This is a tragedy, because in a good faith attempt to rescue the pets, the rescuer in fact ended up killing them.

Reasons 2, 3 &amp; 5 have been hinted at by the Russians and, it seems, may have been a likely independent avenue of enquiry of theirs, had they been allowed one. The Russians have been denied any line of independent enquiry and this is a tragedy for the standing of the UK in the world.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The fact that the animals were locked inside the house for several days suggests that the police did not access the alleged crime scene.

The scandal with the poisoning of the former GRU agent Sergei Skripal is gaining momentum. Meanwhile, absolutely innocent creatures suffered because of the diplomatic war between the UK and Russia. Remember that two dead guinea pigs and a black Persian cat in a critical condition were found in the ex-spy's home. The cat was taken to the Porton Down chemical weapons lab (not to a veterinary clinic which would be more expected). In the laboratory, chemists made a weird diagnosis, which they described as a "distressed state". The cat was euthanised. Its body, as well as those of the two guinea pigs, were immediately incinerated which was confirmed by the British government. Shortly after the Russian Embassy in London posed the question on what happened to the animals that Sergey Skripal kept in his Salisbury house, the British side, first in an unnamed leak and then as a DEFRA comment, said that "when a vet was able to access the property, two guinea pigs had sadly died. A cat was also found in a distressed state and a decision was taken by a veterinary surgeon to euthanise the animal to alleviate its suffering". This is, however, the sort of answer that brings about still more questions. Regarding the dead guinea pigs and the malnourished cat, it is said unofficially that they were taken to the Porton Down facility and incinerated there. But it remains unclear if their remains were ever tested for toxic substances, which would constitute useful evidence, and if not, why such a decision was made. The fact that the animals were locked inside the house for several days suggests that the police did not access the alleged crime scene, which would be very unusual for such a high profile investigation. Such treatment of pets is also hardly consistent with UK laws on animal cruelty and comes as a blatant disregard for Skripal's rights as the owner and companion of the animals. Overall, it is difficult to avoid the impression that the animals have been disposed of as an inconvenient piece of evidence. It is also to be noted that, according to Skripal's niece Viktoria, there were two cats, not one, in the house - and the whereabouts of the second one is still unknown. Nevertheless, the way how the UK police treat animals is absolutely awful and unacceptable. Moreover, even their bodies could cast some light on this case. Instead, we have even more questions than before. Firstly, why were the pets sealed in the house with no food and water? How is it possible to imagine such a mockery and careless attitude towards animals? British officials must be held accountable for their decision to leave the pets inside the sealed-up house without any nutrition. In fact, their actions can be classified as animal abuse, which resulted in their death. Secondly, no matter how cynical this may sound, any living organism remained at the place where the potential poisoning occurred could indirectly help the investigation process. You don't even need to be an expert in chemistry to understand it. The use of such a potent substance as Novichok agent might have affected the pets as well. Unfortunately, we will never know this as their bodies were eliminated. No one even asked for their owners' permission for that. It seems like the British side is trying to cover up the tracks and destroy all the evidence. In Hollywood movies, criminals act like this when a detective tells them their version is not valid. Draw your own conclusions. But why was the fate of Skripal's pets tragic? Actually, there are 6 potential answers: 1. The death of any animal is a tragedy. 2. Any of the bad actors described above could have actually weaponised the pets using Porton Down technology - this demonstrates the ruthlessness of the British Secret Services and their involvement with Animal Testing - such a pointless and anti-human waste of life. 3. The 3rd is a tragedy, because it was nearly a good news story: the escape to freedom of animals previously used in weapons testing: Apparently Porton Down uses Guinea Pigs to trial its chemical weaponry. Porton Down, as we now know, is only a few miles from Salisbury. Guinea pigs escaped from the laboratory (or from the nearby chemical weapons exercises, where perhaps they were being kept out in the field in the back of a truck - maybe to go in - like they used to use canaries in coal mines) and infected the Skripals. 4. The fourth - because the Skripals were unable to speak when they were found, they couldn't inform the police about the pets at home, so they were not immediately rescued. The operatives who were sent into the home were not pet lovers, had not been trained in pet welfare and didn't have the pets at the top of their mind when investigating the house. No one thought to mention the welfare of the pets to a senior officer, everyone just assumed they would be OK - like when people leave their dogs in a car. Or if someone did mention it during the initial police investigation, no written note was made and it did not form part of the briefing to the ChemWeaps team who went to seal up the house. They just sealed up the house from the outside and didn’t think to check the inside for pets. That is a tragedy, because just one thought might have saved three innocent lives. 5. The fifth, the evidence from a proper examination of the pets while alive could have exonerated Russia from all suspicion. This is a tragedy for the fair conduct of the the enquiry and, potentially, a tragedy for world peace. 6. This seems the most unlikely, but sometimes it is the unlikely that stacks up - particularly if it is a series of errors that leads to the outcome, rather than any multi-party conspiracy being required: PETA ("People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals") were the first to go on record about the pets in the UK. PETA are a UK-based, European Organisation. It also has significant presence in the US, where it has been the subject of newspaper criticism. In Sweden, which is one of the countries identified by Russia, as producing Novichok, there is also an active animal rights scene - they have had more success than the same organisations in the UK in raising the bar for animal protection. It is possible that Skripal had been reported to PETA by one of his neighbours - for animal cruelty in leaving them alone for extended periods of time. Perhaps Djurens Ratt (a 100-year-old animal protection body) picked up the report and decided to pay back Skripal. This would have been fine, had the guinea pigs lived outside (as is most common in the UK - it is possible that Skripal had only brought them indoors because of the recent exceptionally cold weather) or if there had been a catflap in fact neither was the case. This is a tragedy, because in a good faith attempt to rescue the pets, the rescuer in fact ended up killing them. Reasons 2, 3 & 5 have been hinted at by the Russians and, it seems, may have been a likely independent avenue of enquiry of theirs, had they been allowed one. The Russians have been denied any line of independent enquiry and this is a tragedy for the standing of the UK in the world. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: The mysterious fate of Skripal's pets

A look back at 20 years of Putin's rule in Russia

British Prime Minister Theresa May told <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-tells-putin-dont-meddle-in-us-elections-231086">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> Friday that normal relations will not be restored until Moscow ends its "irresponsible and destabilising" activity, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

The comments came as May met Putin on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-talks-with-world-leaders-at-g20-pm-modi-discusses-indo-pacific-terrorism-situation-in-gulf-231173">G20 summit in Japan's Osaka</a>, their first formal face-to-face since the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal last year.

"She told the president that there cannot be a normalisation of our bilateral relationship until Russia stops the irresponsible and destabilising activity that threatens the UK and its allies -- including hostile interventions in other countries, disinformation and cyber attacks," the spokesperson said.

May also told Putin that Britain "has irrefutable evidence that Russia was behind the attack" on the former spy.

"The prime minister underlined that we remain open to a different relationship, but for that to happen the Russian government must choose a different path."

London has made clear that May's meeting with Putin does not represent a thawing of ties with Russia, despite calls from Putin for the two countries to "turn the page".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g20-summit-russia-india-china-trilateral-meet-231115/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian president and May first met one-on-one, accompanied only by their translators.

"In this format May spoke about the Skripal affair, she raised this issue and got necessary answers from the Russian president," Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

They later discussed trade and economic ties with members of their delegations, he said.

Peskov said "there is an understanding" of the need to revive bilateral economic cooperation "in the interests of the two countries' business."

The two leaders also discussed the Ukraine, Syria and Iran crises, he added.

Ties between Moscow and London have been severely strained since the March 2018 poisoning of the former Russian spy and double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury.

The incident led to dozens of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and a breakdown in already fragile relations between Moscow and London.

Russia has repeatedly denied any part in his killing.

Earlier this month, Putin said it was time to "turn the page" on the countries' difficult relationship after the poisoning.

"Global issues related to national interests in the economic and social spheres and global security are more important than games of security services," the Kremlin leader said at the time.

Skripal sold secrets to Britain and moved there after a 2010 spy swap.&nbsp;

Last year, he and his daughter were poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent, the first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II.

London says the attempted assassination was "almost certainly" approved by the Russian state.

The G20 will be one of May's last trips as prime minister as Britain awaits a new leader.

Former foreign minister and London mayor Boris Johnson is the favourite to succeed her in an election that will be decided in a vote by members of the ruling Conservative party.

The winner will be announced on July 23, and will formally take office the next day.

Putin has voiced hope relations could improve under a new PM. 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Theresa May told Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday that normal relations will not be restored until Moscow ends its "irresponsible and destabilising" activity, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May told Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday that normal relations will not be restored until Moscow ends its "irresponsible and destabilising" activity, a Downing Street spokesperson said. The comments came as May met Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan's Osaka, their first formal face-to-face since the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal last year. "She told the president that there cannot be a normalisation of our bilateral relationship until Russia stops the irresponsible and destabilising activity that threatens the UK and its allies -- including hostile interventions in other countries, disinformation and cyber attacks," the spokesperson said. May also told Putin that Britain "has irrefutable evidence that Russia was behind the attack" on the former spy. "The prime minister underlined that we remain open to a different relationship, but for that to happen the Russian government must choose a different path." London has made clear that May's meeting with Putin does not represent a thawing of ties with Russia, despite calls from Putin for the two countries to "turn the page". Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian president and May first met one-on-one, accompanied only by their translators. "In this format May spoke about the Skripal affair, she raised this issue and got necessary answers from the Russian president," Peskov told reporters on a conference call. They later discussed trade and economic ties with members of their delegations, he said. Peskov said "there is an understanding" of the need to revive bilateral economic cooperation "in the interests of the two countries' business." The two leaders also discussed the Ukraine, Syria and Iran crises, he added. Ties between Moscow and London have been severely strained since the March 2018 poisoning of the former Russian spy and double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury. The incident led to dozens of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and a breakdown in already fragile relations between Moscow and London. Russia has repeatedly denied any part in his killing. Earlier this month, Putin said it was time to "turn the page" on the countries' difficult relationship after the poisoning. "Global issues related to national interests in the economic and social spheres and global security are more important than games of security services," the Kremlin leader said at the time. Skripal sold secrets to Britain and moved there after a 2010 spy swap. Last year, he and his daughter were poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent, the first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II. London says the attempted assassination was "almost certainly" approved by the Russian state. The G20 will be one of May's last trips as prime minister as Britain awaits a new leader. Former foreign minister and London mayor Boris Johnson is the favourite to succeed her in an election that will be decided in a vote by members of the ruling Conservative party. The winner will be announced on July 23, and will formally take office the next day. Putin has voiced hope relations could improve under a new PM.

UK has irrefutable evidence Russia behind attack on Skripal: Theresa May to Putin at G20

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal was allegedly poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain. Sixty-six-year-old Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said the Skripals were poisoned with Novichok, a deadly group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s, which was applied to his home's front door in liquid form. May blamed Russia for the poisoning.

It was the first known use of a military-grade nerve agent on European soil since World War II. Allies in Europe and the United States sided with May's view and ordered the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War.

Russia retaliated by expelling Western diplomats. Moscow denied any involvement and accused the British intelligence agencies of staging the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria.

Russian officials questioned why would Russia attack an ageing turncoat who was pardoned and swapped in a Kremlin-approved 2010 spy swap. President Vladimir Putin, himself a former KGB spy, said that Skripal would have been dead if he was attacked with a weapons grade agent.

The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks after the poisoning. Yulia, 33, was in a coma for 20 days.

Two Russian nationals were arrested after a few months in connection with the incident. A European arrest warrant was also issued for Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov.

Skripal, recruited by British spies while in Spain, ended up in Britain after a Cold War-style spy swap that brought 10 Russian spies captured in the United States back to Moscow in exchange for those accused by Moscow of spying for the West.

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal was allegedly poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain. Sixty-six-year-old Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4.

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal was allegedly poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain. Sixty-six-year-old Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. British Prime Minister Theresa May said the Skripals were poisoned with Novichok, a deadly group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s, which was applied to his home's front door in liquid form. May blamed Russia for the poisoning. It was the first known use of a military-grade nerve agent on European soil since World War II. Allies in Europe and the United States sided with May's view and ordered the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. Russia retaliated by expelling Western diplomats. Moscow denied any involvement and accused the British intelligence agencies of staging the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria. Russian officials questioned why would Russia attack an ageing turncoat who was pardoned and swapped in a Kremlin-approved 2010 spy swap. President Vladimir Putin, himself a former KGB spy, said that Skripal would have been dead if he was attacked with a weapons grade agent. The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks after the poisoning. Yulia, 33, was in a coma for 20 days. Two Russian nationals were arrested after a few months in connection with the incident. A European arrest warrant was also issued for Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov. Skripal, recruited by British spies while in Spain, ended up in Britain after a Cold War-style spy swap that brought 10 Russian spies captured in the United States back to Moscow in exchange for those accused by Moscow of spying for the West.

Poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter divided international community

British police <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/second-skripal-suspect-was-decorated-by-putin-investigative-group-170483">have&nbsp;released more video footage</a> of the two suspects they believe poisoned former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in March.

Two men - known by the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov - were charged in absentia for the attack in September.

Investigative website Bellingcat has named them as Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga, both of whom work for Russia's GRU intelligence services.

Police realised video footage of two men arriving and moving around Salisbury on Sunday March 4, the day the Skripals were found slumped in the centre of the English city.

A man and a woman were poisoned in the nearby town of Amesbury on June 30 after police believe they handled a perfume bottle that contained Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union used in the Skripal poisoning. The woman, Dawn Sturgess, died.

Police said they were appealing for more information from anybody who may have seen the two men in Britain between 2-4 March or had seen the counterfeit 'Nina Ricci' perfume box or bottle.

Another victim of the poisoning was Detective Sargent Nick Bailey, who was contaminated when he went to examine the Skripal's house after they were taken ill.

He told BBC's "Panorama"&nbsp;programme he was petrified knowing how ill the Skripals had become and also angry at the 'outrageous, dangerous' attack.

British police have released more video footage of the two suspects they believe poisoned former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in March.

British police have released more video footage of the two suspects they believe poisoned former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in March. Two men - known by the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov - were charged in absentia for the attack in September. Investigative website Bellingcat has named them as Alexander Yevgenyevich Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga, both of whom work for Russia's GRU intelligence services. Police realised video footage of two men arriving and moving around Salisbury on Sunday March 4, the day the Skripals were found slumped in the centre of the English city. A man and a woman were poisoned in the nearby town of Amesbury on June 30 after police believe they handled a perfume bottle that contained Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union used in the Skripal poisoning. The woman, Dawn Sturgess, died. Police said they were appealing for more information from anybody who may have seen the two men in Britain between 2-4 March or had seen the counterfeit 'Nina Ricci' perfume box or bottle. Another victim of the poisoning was Detective Sargent Nick Bailey, who was contaminated when he went to examine the Skripal's house after they were taken ill. He told BBC's "Panorama" programme he was petrified knowing how ill the Skripals had become and also angry at the 'outrageous, dangerous' attack.

Watch: British police releases more video of Skripal poisoning suspects

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Sergei Skripal, a Russian former double agent poisoned in Britain, was a scumbag who betrayed Russia.

Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a public bench in the English city of Salisbury in March. Britain says they were poisoned with a nerve agent administered by Russian intelligence officers.

A woman later died from what British police say was contact with the poison which her partner found in a discarded perfume bottle.

Russia denies any involvement in the affair, which has deepened its international isolation.

"I see that some of your colleagues are pushing the theory that Mr Skripal was almost some kind of human rights activist," Putin said at an energy forum in Moscow.

"He was simply a spy. A traitor to the motherland. There is such a concept - a traitor to the motherland. He was one of those."

"He's simply a scumbag, that's all."

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Sergei Skripal, a Russian former double agent poisoned in Britain, was a scumbag who betrayed Russia. Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a public bench in the English city of Salisbury in March.

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Sergei Skripal, a Russian former double agent poisoned in Britain, was a scumbag who betrayed Russia. Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a public bench in the English city of Salisbury in March. Britain says they were poisoned with a nerve agent administered by Russian intelligence officers. A woman later died from what British police say was contact with the poison which her partner found in a discarded perfume bottle. Russia denies any involvement in the affair, which has deepened its international isolation. "I see that some of your colleagues are pushing the theory that Mr Skripal was almost some kind of human rights activist," Putin said at an energy forum in Moscow. "He was simply a spy. A traitor to the motherland. There is such a concept - a traitor to the motherland. He was one of those." "He's simply a scumbag, that's all."

Putin calls ex-spy Skripal a scumbag and traitor

Moscow has scoffed at a report by a respected investigative group claiming that one of the suspects in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal was a highly decorated colonel in Russian military intelligence.

Bellingcat, the British based investigative group, said Wednesday that the real name of Ruslan Boshirov is Anatoly Chepiga, a military intelligence colonel decorated with the country's top award, the Hero of Russia.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the report, saying it was timed to coincide with the address at the UN Security Council of British Prime Minister Theresa May.

"There is no proof -- so they are continuing their information campaign whose main task is to divert attention from the main question: WHAT HAPPENED IN SALISBURY?" Zakharova wrote on Facebook late Wednesday.

"The question remains: when will any proof be provided of involvement of anyone in the Salisbury poisoning, as London calls it?" Speaking on Wednesday, May attacked Moscow over the poisoning Skripal and his daughter Yulia with Novichok, a nerve agent designed in the Soviet era, in March.

"Russia has only sought to obfuscate through desperate fabrication," she said. Bellingcat said Chepiga, 39, graduated from the Far-Eastern Military Command Academy in the far eastern city of Blagoveshchensk, one of the country's top training grounds for marine commandos and special forces.

He fought in Chechnya and possibly Ukraine and was bestowed the Hero of Russia award in 2014 for "conducting a peace-keeping mission," a likely reference to the Ukraine conflict.

Bellingcat said it was "highly likely" that Russian President Vladimir Putin knows Chepiga because he personally hands out these awards.

Only a handful of such awards are given each year, often posthumously.

Citing a former Russian military officer, Bellingcat said it was very surprising that a highly decorated officer holding the rank of colonel was sent into the field.

It "would imply that 'the job was ordered at the highest level,'" the group quoted its source as saying.

This month Putin said that the two men suspected by Britain of poisoning the Skripals were "civilians." In an eyebrow-raising interview with the Kremlin-backed RT channel, Boshirov and Alexander Petrov said they went to Salisbury as tourists, sparking ridicule in Russia and abroad.

Some observers have speculated the two intelligence agents have been effectively thrown under the bus by their superiors for failing in their mission.

"From hero to zero," Bellingcat said on Twitter as it released its report.

Moscow has scoffed at a report by a respected investigative group claiming that one of the suspects in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal was a highly decorated colonel in Russian military intelligence.

Moscow has scoffed at a report by a respected investigative group claiming that one of the suspects in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal was a highly decorated colonel in Russian military intelligence. Bellingcat, the British based investigative group, said Wednesday that the real name of Ruslan Boshirov is Anatoly Chepiga, a military intelligence colonel decorated with the country's top award, the Hero of Russia. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the report, saying it was timed to coincide with the address at the UN Security Council of British Prime Minister Theresa May. "There is no proof -- so they are continuing their information campaign whose main task is to divert attention from the main question: WHAT HAPPENED IN SALISBURY?" Zakharova wrote on Facebook late Wednesday. "The question remains: when will any proof be provided of involvement of anyone in the Salisbury poisoning, as London calls it?" Speaking on Wednesday, May attacked Moscow over the poisoning Skripal and his daughter Yulia with Novichok, a nerve agent designed in the Soviet era, in March. "Russia has only sought to obfuscate through desperate fabrication," she said. Bellingcat said Chepiga, 39, graduated from the Far-Eastern Military Command Academy in the far eastern city of Blagoveshchensk, one of the country's top training grounds for marine commandos and special forces. He fought in Chechnya and possibly Ukraine and was bestowed the Hero of Russia award in 2014 for "conducting a peace-keeping mission," a likely reference to the Ukraine conflict. Bellingcat said it was "highly likely" that Russian President Vladimir Putin knows Chepiga because he personally hands out these awards. Only a handful of such awards are given each year, often posthumously. Citing a former Russian military officer, Bellingcat said it was very surprising that a highly decorated officer holding the rank of colonel was sent into the field. It "would imply that 'the job was ordered at the highest level,'" the group quoted its source as saying. This month Putin said that the two men suspected by Britain of poisoning the Skripals were "civilians." In an eyebrow-raising interview with the Kremlin-backed RT channel, Boshirov and Alexander Petrov said they went to Salisbury as tourists, sparking ridicule in Russia and abroad. Some observers have speculated the two intelligence agents have been effectively thrown under the bus by their superiors for failing in their mission. "From hero to zero," Bellingcat said on Twitter as it released its report.

Moscow dismisses report publishing identity of Skripal suspect

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (June 7) that Russian businessmen were being persecuted and put into difficult circumstances in Western countries.

Putin said that pressure on Russian businessmen was undermining trust in Western countries by both Russian and world businessmen.

Wealthy Russians have long favoured London as a place to live or do business.

However, relations between Britain and Russia hit a low after London accused Moscow of poisoning former double-agent Sergei Skripal in March. Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning.

Putin said that pressure on Russian businessmen was undermining trust in Western countries by both Russian and world businessmen

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (June 7) that Russian businessmen were being persecuted and put into difficult circumstances in Western countries. Putin said that pressure on Russian businessmen was undermining trust in Western countries by both Russian and world businessmen. Wealthy Russians have long favoured London as a place to live or do business. However, relations between Britain and Russia hit a low after London accused Moscow of poisoning former double-agent Sergei Skripal in March. Russia has denied any involvement in the poisoning.

Vladimir Putin says Russian businessmen persecuted in Western countries

Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, who was allegedly poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain almost over a couple of months back, has been discharged from hospital.

66-year-old Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4.

It was found that Skripal and Yulia were poisoned with Novichok, a deadly group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s.

The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks. Yulia was discharged last month.

"It is fantastic news that Sergei Skripal is well enough to leave Salisbury District Hospital," the hospital's Chief Executive Cara Charles-Barks said in a statement.

Skripal, a former colonel in Russia's military intelligence and his daughter have accused Russia of being behind the nerve agent attack. Kremlin has denied all charges.

Western governments including the United States have expelled over 100 Russian diplomats.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks. Yulia was discharged last month

Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, who was allegedly poisoned by a nerve agent in Britain almost over a couple of months back, has been discharged from hospital. 66-year-old Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. It was found that Skripal and Yulia were poisoned with Novichok, a deadly group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s. The father-daughter duo was in a critical condition for weeks. Yulia was discharged last month. "It is fantastic news that Sergei Skripal is well enough to leave Salisbury District Hospital," the hospital's Chief Executive Cara Charles-Barks said in a statement. Skripal, a former colonel in Russia's military intelligence and his daughter have accused Russia of being behind the nerve agent attack. Kremlin has denied all charges. Western governments including the United States have expelled over 100 Russian diplomats. (With inputs from Reuters)

Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal discharged from hospital in UK

By:&nbsp;Damir Kurtagic*

What was the rationale behind the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury?

In an amusing, yet undiplomatic tweet following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, the Russian Embassy in London valorised the temperature of Russia-UK relations at-23, referencing the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats from Britain.

Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned with a nerve agent on March 4 and found unconscious on a public bench in Salisbury, UK.

Bilateral relations between Russia and the UK have certainly reached a new nadir and, more significantly, the poisoning caused a wider rift in diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States, along with its allies more than 150 Russian diplomats from two dozen countries were expelled.

While unified in their condemnation of Russian state leadership for this act, the perceived rationale for the attack generally takes on two different forms — both of which do not make much sense from a Russian perspective.

First, the assassination attempt served to solidify the margin of electoral support ahead of the Russian presidential elections, which took place on March 18.

Second, the attack was meant to send out a message that traitors do not go unpunished. However, these motives are difficult to uphold, and it is also hard to justify Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement from a geopolitical viewpoint. These considerations should have caused the United Kingdom and its allies to reserve judgment until all evidence was collected.

Electoral support

Regarding the first rationale, it has been widely considered that Russian leadership was trying to provoke a response from its citizens. The argument goes that the attack was meant to ensure a strong counter-reaction to the expulsion of its diplomats, which would then translate into an uptick in national pride and greater support for Putin at the elections.

The difficulty with this argument is the timing of the assassination attempt. According to Professor Gerd Mangott of the University of Innsbruck, “The poisoning of Skripal could not have in any way influenced voting behavior and turnout, as it was too close to the elections.” Indeed, the elections were certainly in the spotlight, but at no point in time did its outcome — another landslide victory on Putin’s resume — come into question.

A message to traitors

The second rationale is that the attack served as a strong message to those in the Russian military intelligence community who contemplate turning their back on the state. The community — and especially Putin as a former KGB agent — has a strong disdain for those that reveal Russian military and intelligence secrets to enemies.

With that being said, it seems that Russia could have chosen a more opportune moment for messaging, perhaps at a much earlier point in time.

Skripal had been living on British soil for eight and a half years prior to the attack and previously served prison time in Russia for treason. Russia could have chosen a less risky approach to punish Skripal rather than endangering UK residents.

The history of Russian assassination attempts in Britain reveals that using nerve agents such as the Novichok used on Skripal and his daughter is not in the spirit of the Russian modus operandi.

Moreover, there are a lot of “firsts” involving the poisoning, and none of them bode well for Russia: first nerve gas attack on European soil after World War II first time collaterals were involved and the first time that not only the target but the broader public were exposed to danger.

Most of all, the case of Skripal is baffling for strategic considerations. Relations between Russia and the United States along with its allies have been strained ever since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The Russian strategy has been to split Western unity through the support of domestic political options favoring closer engagement with Russia (anti-establishment and populist) and influencing votes, as seen with the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US presidential election.

The failure of this assassination attempt not only affects relations with the United Kingdom but the entire Western alliance. Russians were aware that a chemical nerve agent attack on British soil would have forced the UK to take a hardball stance, and it seems more likely that the Russians would have held off on potentially aggravating its adversaries over further undercover activities and alienating itself in the process.

What is most clear at the moment is the imprudent diplomatic reactions on both sides following the poisoning. While the United Kingdom levied attacks on Putin based on international law, it decided to circumvent the involvement of the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in early stages and have an independent specialist analyse the blood sample under article 9 of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The Russians, on the other hand, did nothing to offer support and compassion, but jumped right into counter-accusations, lending no credibility to their case either.

At the end of the day, this incident will not reflect favorably on cooperation between Russia and the Western bloc for the foreseeable future.

*Damir Kurtagic is a Europe fellow at Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP). He is a Brussels-based scholar and has previously worked with the European Economic and Social Committee, the UN Development Program in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and the UNIDO headquarters in Vienna, Austria.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/">Fair Observer</a>. Read the original&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/europe/russia-news-sergei-skripal-poisoning-salisbury-34909/">article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What was the rationale behind the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury?

By: Damir Kurtagic* What was the rationale behind the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury? In an amusing, yet undiplomatic tweet following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, the Russian Embassy in London valorised the temperature of Russia-UK relations at-23, referencing the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats from Britain. Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were poisoned with a nerve agent on March 4 and found unconscious on a public bench in Salisbury, UK. Bilateral relations between Russia and the UK have certainly reached a new nadir and, more significantly, the poisoning caused a wider rift in diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States, along with its allies more than 150 Russian diplomats from two dozen countries were expelled. While unified in their condemnation of Russian state leadership for this act, the perceived rationale for the attack generally takes on two different forms — both of which do not make much sense from a Russian perspective. First, the assassination attempt served to solidify the margin of electoral support ahead of the Russian presidential elections, which took place on March 18. Second, the attack was meant to send out a message that traitors do not go unpunished. However, these motives are difficult to uphold, and it is also hard to justify Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement from a geopolitical viewpoint. These considerations should have caused the United Kingdom and its allies to reserve judgment until all evidence was collected. Electoral support Regarding the first rationale, it has been widely considered that Russian leadership was trying to provoke a response from its citizens. The argument goes that the attack was meant to ensure a strong counter-reaction to the expulsion of its diplomats, which would then translate into an uptick in national pride and greater support for Putin at the elections. The difficulty with this argument is the timing of the assassination attempt. According to Professor Gerd Mangott of the University of Innsbruck, “The poisoning of Skripal could not have in any way influenced voting behavior and turnout, as it was too close to the elections.” Indeed, the elections were certainly in the spotlight, but at no point in time did its outcome — another landslide victory on Putin’s resume — come into question. A message to traitors The second rationale is that the attack served as a strong message to those in the Russian military intelligence community who contemplate turning their back on the state. The community — and especially Putin as a former KGB agent — has a strong disdain for those that reveal Russian military and intelligence secrets to enemies. With that being said, it seems that Russia could have chosen a more opportune moment for messaging, perhaps at a much earlier point in time. Skripal had been living on British soil for eight and a half years prior to the attack and previously served prison time in Russia for treason. Russia could have chosen a less risky approach to punish Skripal rather than endangering UK residents. The history of Russian assassination attempts in Britain reveals that using nerve agents such as the Novichok used on Skripal and his daughter is not in the spirit of the Russian modus operandi. Moreover, there are a lot of “firsts” involving the poisoning, and none of them bode well for Russia: first nerve gas attack on European soil after World War II first time collaterals were involved and the first time that not only the target but the broader public were exposed to danger. Most of all, the case of Skripal is baffling for strategic considerations. Relations between Russia and the United States along with its allies have been strained ever since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Russian strategy has been to split Western unity through the support of domestic political options favoring closer engagement with Russia (anti-establishment and populist) and influencing votes, as seen with the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US presidential election. The failure of this assassination attempt not only affects relations with the United Kingdom but the entire Western alliance. Russians were aware that a chemical nerve agent attack on British soil would have forced the UK to take a hardball stance, and it seems more likely that the Russians would have held off on potentially aggravating its adversaries over further undercover activities and alienating itself in the process. What is most clear at the moment is the imprudent diplomatic reactions on both sides following the poisoning. While the United Kingdom levied attacks on Putin based on international law, it decided to circumvent the involvement of the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in early stages and have an independent specialist analyse the blood sample under article 9 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Russians, on the other hand, did nothing to offer support and compassion, but jumped right into counter-accusations, lending no credibility to their case either. At the end of the day, this incident will not reflect favorably on cooperation between Russia and the Western bloc for the foreseeable future. *Damir Kurtagic is a Europe fellow at Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP). He is a Brussels-based scholar and has previously worked with the European Economic and Social Committee, the UN Development Program in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and the UNIDO headquarters in Vienna, Austria. (This article was originally published on Fair Observer. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: The curious case of Sergei Skripal

Testing by four laboratories affiliated with the global&nbsp;chemical&nbsp;weapons watchdog have confirmed&nbsp;British&nbsp;findings&nbsp;on the nerve agent used in last month's attack on a former Russian double agent in England, a summary of the&nbsp;findings&nbsp;published on Thursday showed.

British&nbsp;Prime Minister Theresa May said on March 12 that Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia had been poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent from the Novichok group of poisons developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s.

Both Yulia,33, and Sergei,66, were allegedly poisoned with nerve gas by Russian agents setting off a diplomatic war between the UK and Russia which led to both countries ejecting diplomats from their country in a tit-for-tat move.

The US and several European Union countries later joined the UK in sending back Russian diplomats as the poisoning row escalated last month.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on March 12 that Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia had been poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent

Testing by four laboratories affiliated with the global chemical weapons watchdog have confirmed British findings on the nerve agent used in last month's attack on a former Russian double agent in England, a summary of the findings published on Thursday showed. British Prime Minister Theresa May said on March 12 that Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia had been poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent from the Novichok group of poisons developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s. Both Yulia,33, and Sergei,66, were allegedly poisoned with nerve gas by Russian agents setting off a diplomatic war between the UK and Russia which led to both countries ejecting diplomats from their country in a tit-for-tat move. The US and several European Union countries later joined the UK in sending back Russian diplomats as the poisoning row escalated last month.

Ex-Russian spy poisoning: Chemical weapons agency confirms UK findings

Yulia Skripal, the daughter of ex-spy Sergei Skripal, has been discharged from the hospital, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

Both Yulia,33, and Sergei,66, were allegedly poisoned with nerve gas by Russian agents setting off a diplomatic war between the UK and Russia which led to both countries ejecting diplomats from their country in a tit-for-tat move.

The US and several European Union countries later joined the UK in sending back Russian diplomats as the poisoning row escalated last month.

The Skripals were found unconscious on a bench on March 4 in the southern English city of Salisbury.

Yulia was taken to a secure location after being discharged from hospital late on Monday, the BBC said.

There has been no official confirmation about Yulia's discharge by the hospital.

The Skripals were found unconscious on a bench on March 4 in the southern English city of Salisbury.

Yulia Skripal, the daughter of ex-spy Sergei Skripal, has been discharged from the hospital, the BBC reported on Tuesday. Both Yulia,33, and Sergei,66, were allegedly poisoned with nerve gas by Russian agents setting off a diplomatic war between the UK and Russia which led to both countries ejecting diplomats from their country in a tit-for-tat move. The US and several European Union countries later joined the UK in sending back Russian diplomats as the poisoning row escalated last month. The Skripals were found unconscious on a bench on March 4 in the southern English city of Salisbury. Yulia was taken to a secure location after being discharged from hospital late on Monday, the BBC said. There has been no official confirmation about Yulia's discharge by the hospital.

Yulia Skripal released from hospital: Report

The former Russian double agent and his daughter, who are recovering in a UK hospital from a deadly nerve agent poisoning, will be offered new identities and repatriated to the US with the help of the CIA, a media report has claimed.

Sergei and Yulia Skripal are said to no longer be in a critical condition at a hospital in Salisbury, where they have been treated since being discovered slumped on a bench in the Wiltshire town in south-west England on March 4.

British intelligence officials at MI6 have had discussions with their counterparts in the CIA about resettling the father and daughter, 'The Sunday Times' reported.

"They will be offered new identities," the newspaper quoted a senior figure from the UK political establishment as saying.

Both victims are said to be conscious and ready to help investigators with their inquiries into the nerve agent attack, which the UK government believes was masterminded by the Kremlin.

For Britain to help the pair, a senior police officer is expected to issue the Skripals with a so-called "Osman warning", a formal notification that intelligence suggests there is a real and immediate "threat to life".

They could then be placed under a witness protection programme on the basis that the pair hold key evidence about a possible motive for the attack.

That could involve moving them to a "safe house" and being given round the clock armed police protection as well as new identities.

Security sources told the newspaper that Britain would want to ensure their safety by relocating them with one of the "five eyes" countries, the UK's intelligence-sharing partnership which includes the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Yulia, 33, a Russian citizen, has reportedly rejected demands by the Russian embassy in London to offer her and her father with consular support, a move that has convinced British officials she might move to the West permanently, the report said.

While her 66-year-old father is also awake now, British officials have warned that life for the Skripals "would likely never be the same again" and that they could have injuries that would "require ongoing medical care".

Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson accused Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn of being "the Kremlin's useful idiot" for refusing to blame Russia for the poison plot.

Johnson said the Labour leader was playing "Putin's game" by refusing to say "unequivocally&nbspthat the Russian state was responsible".

"There is only one thing that gives the Kremlin succour and lends false credibility to its propaganda onslaught. That is when politicians from the targeted countries join in. Sadly, I am driven to the conclusion that Jeremy Corbyn has joined this effort," he wrote in 'The Sunday Times.

A Labour party spokesperson hit back, claiming that the minister had "made a fool of himself and undermined the government" by misrepresenting the findings of the Porton Down laboratory on the source of the nerve agent.

The lab had said last week it was not the scientists' responsibility to pinpoint the origin of the military-grade Novichok but only its type, contradicting Johnson's claim that scientists were "categorical" the deadly nerve agent came from Russia.

"Jeremy Corbyn has repeatedly said the evidence points to Russia being responsible, directly or indirectly, and that the Russian authorities must be held to account on the basis of evidence," the Labour spokesperson said.

The Russian government has repeatedly denied being responsible for the poisoning of the Skripals, as diplomatic relations between Moscow and the West took a turn for the worst with a number of countries expelling Russian diplomats as a show of support for the UK.

Moscow has said it wants the UK to "engage constructively" with the request for its UK ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to hold face-to-face talks with Johnson.

But the UK Foreign Office has branded the move as a "diversionary tactic".

"Now, after failing in their attempts in the UN and international chemical weapons watchdog this week and with the victims' condition improving, they seem to be pursuing a different diversionary tactic. We will, of course, consider their request and respond in due course," a Foreign Office spokersperson said.&nbsp

The former Russian double agent and his daughter, who are recovering in a UK hospital from a deadly nerve agent poisoning, will be offered new identities and repatriated to the US with the help of the CIA

The former Russian double agent and his daughter, who are recovering in a UK hospital from a deadly nerve agent poisoning, will be offered new identities and repatriated to the US with the help of the CIA, a media report has claimed. Sergei and Yulia Skripal are said to no longer be in a critical condition at a hospital in Salisbury, where they have been treated since being discovered slumped on a bench in the Wiltshire town in south-west England on March 4. British intelligence officials at MI6 have had discussions with their counterparts in the CIA about resettling the father and daughter, 'The Sunday Times' reported. "They will be offered new identities," the newspaper quoted a senior figure from the UK political establishment as saying. Both victims are said to be conscious and ready to help investigators with their inquiries into the nerve agent attack, which the UK government believes was masterminded by the Kremlin. For Britain to help the pair, a senior police officer is expected to issue the Skripals with a so-called "Osman warning", a formal notification that intelligence suggests there is a real and immediate "threat to life". They could then be placed under a witness protection programme on the basis that the pair hold key evidence about a possible motive for the attack. That could involve moving them to a "safe house" and being given round the clock armed police protection as well as new identities. Security sources told the newspaper that Britain would want to ensure their safety by relocating them with one of the "five eyes" countries, the UK's intelligence-sharing partnership which includes the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Yulia, 33, a Russian citizen, has reportedly rejected demands by the Russian embassy in London to offer her and her father with consular support, a move that has convinced British officials she might move to the West permanently, the report said. While her 66-year-old father is also awake now, British officials have warned that life for the Skripals "would likely never be the same again" and that they could have injuries that would "require ongoing medical care". Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson accused Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn of being "the Kremlin's useful idiot" for refusing to blame Russia for the poison plot. Johnson said the Labour leader was playing "Putin's game" by refusing to say "unequivocally&nbspthat the Russian state was responsible". "There is only one thing that gives the Kremlin succour and lends false credibility to its propaganda onslaught. That is when politicians from the targeted countries join in. Sadly, I am driven to the conclusion that Jeremy Corbyn has joined this effort," he wrote in 'The Sunday Times. A Labour party spokesperson hit back, claiming that the minister had "made a fool of himself and undermined the government" by misrepresenting the findings of the Porton Down laboratory on the source of the nerve agent. The lab had said last week it was not the scientists' responsibility to pinpoint the origin of the military-grade Novichok but only its type, contradicting Johnson's claim that scientists were "categorical" the deadly nerve agent came from Russia. "Jeremy Corbyn has repeatedly said the evidence points to Russia being responsible, directly or indirectly, and that the Russian authorities must be held to account on the basis of evidence," the Labour spokesperson said. The Russian government has repeatedly denied being responsible for the poisoning of the Skripals, as diplomatic relations between Moscow and the West took a turn for the worst with a number of countries expelling Russian diplomats as a show of support for the UK. Moscow has said it wants the UK to "engage constructively" with the request for its UK ambassador Alexander Yakovenko to hold face-to-face talks with Johnson. But the UK Foreign Office has branded the move as a "diversionary tactic". "Now, after failing in their attempts in the UN and international chemical weapons watchdog this week and with the victims' condition improving, they seem to be pursuing a different diversionary tactic. We will, of course, consider their request and respond in due course," a Foreign Office spokersperson said.

Poisoned Russian spy, daughter to be offered new identities: Report

Sergei Skripal, the former Russian spy who was found slumped in an English city after being poisoned is no longer in critical condition and is "improving rapidly," the hospital treating him said Friday.

Skripal "is responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition," said Salisbury District Hospital director Christine Blanshard.

As for his daughter, "her strength is growing daily and she can look forward to the day when she is well enough to leave the hospital", Blanshard added.

It was the first official news on the condition of Sergei Skripal, 66, since he and his daughter Yulia were found poisoned on a bench on March 4 in Salisbury.

Britain blames Russia for the poisoning of the Skripals -- a charge the Kremlin furiously denies.

The affair has sparked a bitter diplomatic crisis between London and Moscow and prompted a wave of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats between Russia and the West.

The first public comments by Yulia Skripal since the poisoning emerged on Thursday.

"My strength is growing daily," she was quoted as saying in comments released by the police. 
&nbsp;

Skripal 'is responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition,' said Salisbury District Hospital director Christine Blanshard

Sergei Skripal, the former Russian spy who was found slumped in an English city after being poisoned is no longer in critical condition and is "improving rapidly," the hospital treating him said Friday. Skripal "is responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition," said Salisbury District Hospital director Christine Blanshard. As for his daughter, "her strength is growing daily and she can look forward to the day when she is well enough to leave the hospital", Blanshard added. It was the first official news on the condition of Sergei Skripal, 66, since he and his daughter Yulia were found poisoned on a bench on March 4 in Salisbury. Britain blames Russia for the poisoning of the Skripals -- a charge the Kremlin furiously denies. The affair has sparked a bitter diplomatic crisis between London and Moscow and prompted a wave of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats between Russia and the West. The first public comments by Yulia Skripal since the poisoning emerged on Thursday. "My strength is growing daily," she was quoted as saying in comments released by the police.

Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal 'improving rapidly' after poisoning: Hospital

Russia told Britain at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that "you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry" over its accusations that Moscow was to blame for poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter.

It was the second showdown between Russia and Britain at the world body since the March 4 nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English town. Russia, which requested Thursday's council meeting, denies any involvement.

The attack has had major diplomatic ramifications, with mass expulsions of Russian and Western diplomats. The 15-member Security Council first met over the issue on March 14 at Britain's request.

"We have told our British colleagues that 'you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry'," Russian UN&nbsp;Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said during a more than 30-minute speech that attempted to poke holes in Britain's allegations against Moscow.

He suggested that anyone who watched television crime shows like Britain's 'Midsomer Murders' would know "hundreds of clever ways to kill someone" to illustrate the "risky and dangerous" nature of the method Britain says was used to target Skripal.

British police believe a nerve agent was left on the front door of the Salisbury home where Skripal lived after he was freed in a spy swap. He was a military intelligence colonel who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to Britain's MI6 spy service.

"We believe that the UK's actions stand up to any scrutiny," British UN&nbsp;Ambassador Karen Pierce told the Security Council. "We have nothing to hide ... but I do fear that Russia might have something to fear."

At the global chemical weapons watchdog Wednesday, Russia called for a joint inquiry into the poisoning of the Skripals, but lost a vote on the measure.

"Allowing Russian scientists into an investigation where they are the most likely perpetrators of the crime in Salisbury would be like Scotland Yard inviting in Professor Moriarty," Pierce told reporters earlier on Thursday, citing a character from "Sherlock Holmes."

At the end of the council meeting, Nebenzia read a passage from the novel "Alice in Wonderland" about a trial where the Queen demands the sentence first and the verdict afterward. "Does that remind you of anything?" he added.

Pierce responded: "There is another very good quote from Alice in Wonderland which is: 'sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast' so I think that's the quote the suits my Russian colleague best."

Russia told Britain at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that "you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry" over its accusations that Moscow was to blame for poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter

Russia told Britain at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that "you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry" over its accusations that Moscow was to blame for poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter. It was the second showdown between Russia and Britain at the world body since the March 4 nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English town. Russia, which requested Thursday's council meeting, denies any involvement. The attack has had major diplomatic ramifications, with mass expulsions of Russian and Western diplomats. The 15-member Security Council first met over the issue on March 14 at Britain's request. "We have told our British colleagues that 'you're playing with fire and you'll be sorry'," Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said during a more than 30-minute speech that attempted to poke holes in Britain's allegations against Moscow. He suggested that anyone who watched television crime shows like Britain's 'Midsomer Murders' would know "hundreds of clever ways to kill someone" to illustrate the "risky and dangerous" nature of the method Britain says was used to target Skripal. British police believe a nerve agent was left on the front door of the Salisbury home where Skripal lived after he was freed in a spy swap. He was a military intelligence colonel who betrayed dozens of Russian agents to Britain's MI6 spy service. "We believe that the UK's actions stand up to any scrutiny," British UN Ambassador Karen Pierce told the Security Council. "We have nothing to hide ... but I do fear that Russia might have something to fear." At the global chemical weapons watchdog Wednesday, Russia called for a joint inquiry into the poisoning of the Skripals, but lost a vote on the measure. "Allowing Russian scientists into an investigation where they are the most likely perpetrators of the crime in Salisbury would be like Scotland Yard inviting in Professor Moriarty," Pierce told reporters earlier on Thursday, citing a character from "Sherlock Holmes." At the end of the council meeting, Nebenzia read a passage from the novel "Alice in Wonderland" about a trial where the Queen demands the sentence first and the verdict afterward. "Does that remind you of anything?" he added. Pierce responded: "There is another very good quote from Alice in Wonderland which is: 'sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast' so I think that's the quote the suits my Russian colleague best."

'You're playing with fire,' Russia tells Britain at UN nerve agent attack meeting

Russia's ambassador to Britain said Moscow would accept the results of tests by international chemical weapons inspectors on a suspected nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy in England but only if the process was transparent.

Alexander Yakovenko told reporters at a news conference on Thursday that Russia wanted to know which experts were involved in the tests on the toxin used in March 4 attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the city of Salisbury.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, a global chemical weapons watchdog, is investigating the case.

The tests will be conducted by international chemical weapons inspectors on a suspected nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy in England

Russia's ambassador to Britain said Moscow would accept the results of tests by international chemical weapons inspectors on a suspected nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy in England but only if the process was transparent. Alexander Yakovenko told reporters at a news conference on Thursday that Russia wanted to know which experts were involved in the tests on the toxin used in March 4 attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the city of Salisbury. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, a global chemical weapons watchdog, is investigating the case.

Moscow will accept results of nerve agent tests, if process is transparent: Russia's UK envoy

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow on Sunday, with post-Cold War tensions peaking in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain.

A deepening crisis in ties between Russia and the West has over the past weeks seen the biggest wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in recent memory.

In further signs of tension, Russia warned its nationals on Saturday to think twice before travelling to Britain, where it said they could be singled out for harassment by local authorities.

By expelling 60 Russian diplomats, the US joined a score of Britain's allies in responding to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

Two planes arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Sunday, bringing home a total of 171 people -- the 60 diplomats and their families -- from Washington and New York.

Russian television showed passengers disembarking from a government plane while several buses waited to pick them up.

More than 150 Russian diplomats have now been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations.

Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the Skripal attack using the Soviet-designed Novichok nerve agent. Russia has angrily denied any involvement.

The US alleged the 60 diplomats were "spies" and sent them home from posts around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations, as well as closing Russia's consulate in Seattle.

However Washington has since said that Russia is free to apply to accredit more diplomats to replace those expelled.

Moscow responded by expelling 60 US diplomats and closing Washington's consulate in Saint Petersburg on Saturday.

Work to improve ties

US President Donald Trump has often appeared reluctant to criticise Russian leader Vladimir Putin and has said the two could meet for a summit in the near future.

"Now the consulate is closed but our work to improve Russian-US ties is continuing," the US embassy in Moscow said on Twitter.

Moscow also issued further retaliatory measures against Britain on Saturday, demanding that London further slash its diplomatic presence.

"Russia suggested parity. The British side has more than 50 more people," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP.&nbsp

The call came after 23 British diplomats were expelled from Russia last month.

Moscow also closed a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and suspended all projects of the British Council for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Threatening rhetoric

The Russian embassy in London urged Russians to think carefully before travelling to the UK or sending children to summer school there.

The embassy warned that British authorities including police could single out Russians for additional checks, citing "the anti-Russian policies and an escalation of the British side's threatening rhetoric".

Britain acknowledged Saturday that border officials had searched an incoming Aeroflot flight from Moscow in what Russia blasted as an act of "blatant provocation".

Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and people attempting to bring harmful substances into the country.

Earlier this week Moscow summoned British ambassador Laurie Bristow, giving London a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain.&nbsp

He was handed a protest note over the "provocative and unfounded actions of the British side which instigated the unwarranted expulsion of Russian diplomats from a variety of states," the Russian foreign ministry said.&nbsp

Bristow was summoned along with the heads of missions from 23 other countries -- most of them EU member states -- who were told that some of their diplomats had to leave.

France, Germany, Canada and Poland each said that Russia was expelling four of their diplomats.&nbsp

Other countries including Australia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway were also told to pull their envoys.&nbsp

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow on Sunday, with post-Cold War tensions peaking in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow on Sunday, with post-Cold War tensions peaking in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain. A deepening crisis in ties between Russia and the West has over the past weeks seen the biggest wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in recent memory. In further signs of tension, Russia warned its nationals on Saturday to think twice before travelling to Britain, where it said they could be singled out for harassment by local authorities. By expelling 60 Russian diplomats, the US joined a score of Britain's allies in responding to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. Two planes arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Sunday, bringing home a total of 171 people -- the 60 diplomats and their families -- from Washington and New York. Russian television showed passengers disembarking from a government plane while several buses waited to pick them up. More than 150 Russian diplomats have now been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations. Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the Skripal attack using the Soviet-designed Novichok nerve agent. Russia has angrily denied any involvement. The US alleged the 60 diplomats were "spies" and sent them home from posts around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations, as well as closing Russia's consulate in Seattle. However Washington has since said that Russia is free to apply to accredit more diplomats to replace those expelled. Moscow responded by expelling 60 US diplomats and closing Washington's consulate in Saint Petersburg on Saturday. Work to improve ties US President Donald Trump has often appeared reluctant to criticise Russian leader Vladimir Putin and has said the two could meet for a summit in the near future. "Now the consulate is closed but our work to improve Russian-US ties is continuing," the US embassy in Moscow said on Twitter. Moscow also issued further retaliatory measures against Britain on Saturday, demanding that London further slash its diplomatic presence. "Russia suggested parity. The British side has more than 50 more people," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP. The call came after 23 British diplomats were expelled from Russia last month. Moscow also closed a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and suspended all projects of the British Council for the first time in nearly 60 years. Threatening rhetoric The Russian embassy in London urged Russians to think carefully before travelling to the UK or sending children to summer school there. The embassy warned that British authorities including police could single out Russians for additional checks, citing "the anti-Russian policies and an escalation of the British side's threatening rhetoric". Britain acknowledged Saturday that border officials had searched an incoming Aeroflot flight from Moscow in what Russia blasted as an act of "blatant provocation". Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and people attempting to bring harmful substances into the country. Earlier this week Moscow summoned British ambassador Laurie Bristow, giving London a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain. He was handed a protest note over the "provocative and unfounded actions of the British side which instigated the unwarranted expulsion of Russian diplomats from a variety of states," the Russian foreign ministry said. Bristow was summoned along with the heads of missions from 23 other countries -- most of them EU member states -- who were told that some of their diplomats had to leave. France, Germany, Canada and Poland each said that Russia was expelling four of their diplomats. Other countries including Australia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway were also told to pull their envoys.

Expelled Russians arrive home as Moscow warns against travel to UK

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ive-never-been-so-happy-nobel-laureate-malala-yousafzai-on-visiting-hometown-in-pakistan--127459">'I've never been so happy': Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on visiting hometown in Pakistan</a>

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says she has pined for her home in Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, even as she recalled two years living in fear under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/violence-subsides-on-israel-gaza-border-a-day-after-deadly-protest-127502">Violence subsides on Israel-Gaza border a day after deadly protest</a>

Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered by the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, though the area remained mostly quiet, a day after deadly violence broke out in one of the biggest Palestinian demonstrations there in years.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-russia-standoff-deepens-as-moscow-cuts-uk-diplomats-127504">UK-Russia standoff deepens as Moscow cuts UK diplomats</a>

Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dhinakaran-supporter-offers-poison-to-aiadmk-mp-after-his-suicide-threat-127486">Dhinakaran supporter offers poison to AIADMK MP after his suicide threat</a>

AIADMK MP Navaneethakrishnan who threatened to commit suicide over delay in formation Cauvery Management Board (CMB) became a subject of jeer for a supporter of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who offered him poison and a noose, on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/skripal-row-niece-of-ex-russian-spys-daughter-to-visit-uk-127462">Skripal row: Niece of Ex-Russian spy's daughter to visit </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/skripal-row-niece-of-ex-russian-spys-daughter-to-visit-uk-127462">UK</a>

The niece of Yulia Skripal, who is the daughter of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is planning to visit the United Kingdom soon, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement on Friday.

'I've never been so happy': Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on visiting hometown in Pakistan Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says she has pined for her home in Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, even as she recalled two years living in fear under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Violence subsides on Israel-Gaza border a day after deadly protest Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered by the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, though the area remained mostly quiet, a day after deadly violence broke out in one of the biggest Palestinian demonstrations there in years. UK-Russia standoff deepens as Moscow cuts UK diplomats Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. Dhinakaran supporter offers poison to AIADMK MP after his suicide threat AIADMK MP Navaneethakrishnan who threatened to commit suicide over delay in formation Cauvery Management Board (CMB) became a subject of jeer for a supporter of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who offered him poison and a noose, on Saturday. Skripal row: Niece of Ex-Russian spy's daughter to visit UK The niece of Yulia Skripal, who is the daughter of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is planning to visit the United Kingdom soon, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement on Friday.

WION evening news brief, March 31, 2018

Russia on Friday summoned ambassadors of nine nations while declaring that Britain has one month to reduce diplomatic presence.

"The ambassadors will be handed protest notes and told about the Russian side's retaliatory measures," the foreign ministry said in a statement as ambassadors were seen arriving at the Russian foreign ministry.&nbsp

As the tit-for-tat diplomacy over expulsion continued, Dutch ambassador Renee Jones-Bos said Russia has expelled two diplomats over the spy row.

Dutch Ambassador Renee Jones-Bos told TASS state news agency: "Two of my colleagues are leaving Moscow. But we (the embassy) are staying here."

Russia had announced the expulsion of US 60 diplomats on Thursday and had decided to close the US consulate in Saint Petersburg after President Trump had ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and the subsequent closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle.

More than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations in a coordinated action against Moscow.&nbsp

The Western nations have accused Putin's regime of being involved in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a nerve agent attack in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

Reports said on Thursday that Skripal's daughter Yulia was out of danger but Sergei was still in critical condition.

&nbsp

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CX11TEq3sWE" width="560"></iframe>

More than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations in a coordinated action against Moscow.

Russia on Friday summoned ambassadors of nine nations while declaring that Britain has one month to reduce diplomatic presence. "The ambassadors will be handed protest notes and told about the Russian side's retaliatory measures," the foreign ministry said in a statement as ambassadors were seen arriving at the Russian foreign ministry. As the tit-for-tat diplomacy over expulsion continued, Dutch ambassador Renee Jones-Bos said Russia has expelled two diplomats over the spy row. Dutch Ambassador Renee Jones-Bos told TASS state news agency: "Two of my colleagues are leaving Moscow. But we (the embassy) are staying here." Russia had announced the expulsion of US 60 diplomats on Thursday and had decided to close the US consulate in Saint Petersburg after President Trump had ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats and the subsequent closure of the Russian consulate in Seattle. More than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations in a coordinated action against Moscow. The Western nations have accused Putin's regime of being involved in the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a nerve agent attack in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. Reports said on Thursday that Skripal's daughter Yulia was out of danger but Sergei was still in critical condition.

Spy poisoning row: Britain has one month to reduce diplomatic presence, says Russia

The daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, who with her father was poisoned with a nerve agent in Britain earlier this month, is no longer in a critical condition and is improving rapidly, the hospital treating the pair said on Thursday.

"I'm pleased to be able to report an improvement in the condition of Yulia Skripal. She has responded well to treatment but continues to receive expert clinical care 24 hours a day," Christine Blanshard, Medical Director for Salisbury District Hospital said in a statement.

The Skripals were found slumped on a bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. Yulia's father Sergei remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, who with her father was poisoned with a nerve agent in Britain earlier this month, is no longer in a critical condition and is improving rapidly, the hospital treating the pair said on Thursday

The daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, who with her father was poisoned with a nerve agent in Britain earlier this month, is no longer in a critical condition and is improving rapidly, the hospital treating the pair said on Thursday. "I'm pleased to be able to report an improvement in the condition of Yulia Skripal. She has responded well to treatment but continues to receive expert clinical care 24 hours a day," Christine Blanshard, Medical Director for Salisbury District Hospital said in a statement. The Skripals were found slumped on a bench in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. Yulia's father Sergei remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

Poisoned former Russian spy Skripal's daughter is no longer critical: Hospital

By&nbspJennifer Mathers*

Vladimir Putin has won re-election by an even greater margin than expected. But he begins his fourth term as president facing antagonism from numerous world leaders over a nerve agent attack in the UK that has hospitalised a former Russian spy and his daughter.

The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made it clear that she thinks Russia is responsible for poisoning former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. She has received formal backing from France, Germany and the US.

She described the attack as just one in a long line of audacious foreign policy moves authorised by Moscow since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. These actions include the annexation of Crimea, military intervention in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, cyber attacks and the interference in elections in the United States and Europe.

But while Russian foreign policy may give the impression of recklessness and unpredictability, Moscow’s words and actions are not the results of random aggression. They fall into distinct patterns. Understanding those patterns can help us interpret and perhaps anticipate Russia’s next moves on the world stage as Putin embarks on his fourth term as president.

Much of what we see in Russian foreign policy has a lot in common with a collection of theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations known as “realism”. Russia’s political leaders tend to treat foreign policy as a zero-sum game, where one state can only make gains if others lose. Their assessment of Russia’s place in the world is shaped by very traditional ideas about what makes a state strong, powerful and respected. Possessing a large and well-armed military is high on the list.

While Russia also deploys more conventional tools of foreign policy, such as diplomacy and trade, it relies – heavily at times – on a wide range of covert instruments, especially those wielded by its intelligence and security services. Notions of ethics are not absent from the calculations of Russia’s political leaders – but they regard their ethical responsibility as protecting the interests of their own country, rather than following some abstract, philosophical rules for state behaviour.

Russia regards these general principles of foreign policy as universally applicable. In other words, Putin and other senior Russian policymakers expect all states to behave as Russia does. Any claims by other states’ governments that they have very different motives for their foreign policy actions – such as protecting human rights and supporting the development of democracy – are regarded by Moscow as no more than a public relations exercise. This attitude helps to explain why Russian officials feel free to exercise very implausible deniability when it comes to Russia’s actions. We saw an example of this in the spring of 2014, when Putin first denied and then admitted that the “little green men” deployed to Crimea were, in fact, Russian military personnel.

Use of force 
Each situation is different, and Russia’s policymakers calculate the relative strengths and limitations when choosing the instruments to use to advance Moscow’s foreign policy goals. This means that the use of outright military force is only employed where Moscow judges the odds to be strongly in Russia’s favour. Other, less confrontational but perhaps equally effective tools are used where the odds are not thought to be so good.

We can see how this works in practice if we compare the different ways that Russia has behaved in Ukraine. Deploying soldiers to Crimea in 2014 was relatively low risk. Ukraine’s government and armed forces were in disarray and there was a high level of support among the local civilian population for Russia. That said, Moscow still took the precaution of initially disguising its troops in case things went badly wrong.&nbsp

The risks were higher in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, but they were managed in several ways. Military intervention was preceded by a propaganda campaign that exploited existing local concerns about the intentions of the new Ukranian government, especially towards Russian speakers. The actual fighting has been done partly by proxies (local separatists, supplied and directed by Moscow). The participation of Russian soldiers has been presented as the actions of individual volunteers.

In both Crimea and the Donbas, Moscow could be confident that it would not face a direct military confrontation with superior forces. Russia’s calculations are very different when it comes to dealing with NATO members. Russia may base military exercises on fighting NATO forces, but in real life, this is out of the question except as a last resort. Propaganda, social media trolling and cyber attacks are much less risky methods of weakening a potential opponent.

The danger is that Moscow will underestimate the cumulative effects of its actions short of using military force. With each new provocative act, international tensions rise and so do the chances of a confrontation that cannot easily be denied or refused.

Russia may regard the attack on the Skripals as an isolated incident – as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray the motherland. But there are increasing calls for Britain and other Western countries to take more decisive action against Moscow than expelling some diplomats and keeping the royal family away from the World Cup. If the West really is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make Putin’s next six years as president a lot less comfortable.&nbsp

&nbsp

*Jennifer Mathers has a background in the study of Russian politics, history international politics at Aberystwyth University

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Russia may regard the attack on Skripals as an isolated incident, as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray motherland. But if West is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make President Putin’s next six years less comfortable

By&nbspJennifer Mathers* Vladimir Putin has won re-election by an even greater margin than expected. But he begins his fourth term as president facing antagonism from numerous world leaders over a nerve agent attack in the UK that has hospitalised a former Russian spy and his daughter. The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made it clear that she thinks Russia is responsible for poisoning former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. She has received formal backing from France, Germany and the US. She described the attack as just one in a long line of audacious foreign policy moves authorised by Moscow since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. These actions include the annexation of Crimea, military intervention in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, cyber attacks and the interference in elections in the United States and Europe. But while Russian foreign policy may give the impression of recklessness and unpredictability, Moscow’s words and actions are not the results of random aggression. They fall into distinct patterns. Understanding those patterns can help us interpret and perhaps anticipate Russia’s next moves on the world stage as Putin embarks on his fourth term as president. Much of what we see in Russian foreign policy has a lot in common with a collection of theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations known as “realism”. Russia’s political leaders tend to treat foreign policy as a zero-sum game, where one state can only make gains if others lose. Their assessment of Russia’s place in the world is shaped by very traditional ideas about what makes a state strong, powerful and respected. Possessing a large and well-armed military is high on the list. While Russia also deploys more conventional tools of foreign policy, such as diplomacy and trade, it relies – heavily at times – on a wide range of covert instruments, especially those wielded by its intelligence and security services. Notions of ethics are not absent from the calculations of Russia’s political leaders – but they regard their ethical responsibility as protecting the interests of their own country, rather than following some abstract, philosophical rules for state behaviour. Russia regards these general principles of foreign policy as universally applicable. In other words, Putin and other senior Russian policymakers expect all states to behave as Russia does. Any claims by other states’ governments that they have very different motives for their foreign policy actions – such as protecting human rights and supporting the development of democracy – are regarded by Moscow as no more than a public relations exercise. This attitude helps to explain why Russian officials feel free to exercise very implausible deniability when it comes to Russia’s actions. We saw an example of this in the spring of 2014, when Putin first denied and then admitted that the “little green men” deployed to Crimea were, in fact, Russian military personnel. Use of force Each situation is different, and Russia’s policymakers calculate the relative strengths and limitations when choosing the instruments to use to advance Moscow’s foreign policy goals. This means that the use of outright military force is only employed where Moscow judges the odds to be strongly in Russia’s favour. Other, less confrontational but perhaps equally effective tools are used where the odds are not thought to be so good. We can see how this works in practice if we compare the different ways that Russia has behaved in Ukraine. Deploying soldiers to Crimea in 2014 was relatively low risk. Ukraine’s government and armed forces were in disarray and there was a high level of support among the local civilian population for Russia. That said, Moscow still took the precaution of initially disguising its troops in case things went badly wrong. The risks were higher in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, but they were managed in several ways. Military intervention was preceded by a propaganda campaign that exploited existing local concerns about the intentions of the new Ukranian government, especially towards Russian speakers. The actual fighting has been done partly by proxies (local separatists, supplied and directed by Moscow). The participation of Russian soldiers has been presented as the actions of individual volunteers. In both Crimea and the Donbas, Moscow could be confident that it would not face a direct military confrontation with superior forces. Russia’s calculations are very different when it comes to dealing with NATO members. Russia may base military exercises on fighting NATO forces, but in real life, this is out of the question except as a last resort. Propaganda, social media trolling and cyber attacks are much less risky methods of weakening a potential opponent. The danger is that Moscow will underestimate the cumulative effects of its actions short of using military force. With each new provocative act, international tensions rise and so do the chances of a confrontation that cannot easily be denied or refused. Russia may regard the attack on the Skripals as an isolated incident – as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray the motherland. But there are increasing calls for Britain and other Western countries to take more decisive action against Moscow than expelling some diplomats and keeping the royal family away from the World Cup. If the West really is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make Putin’s next six years as president a lot less comfortable. *Jennifer Mathers has a background in the study of Russian politics, history international politics at Aberystwyth University (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How to understand Putin's view of the world

A nerve agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia may have left them with compromised mental capacity and it is unclear whether they will recover, a British judge said on Thursday in a ruling.

&quot;The precise effect of their exposure on their long-term health remains unclear albeit medical tests indicate that their mental capacity might be compromised to an unknown and so far unascertained degree,&quot; Judge David Williams said in his ruling.

Williams was giving permission for blood samples to be taken from the Skripals by doctors to allow chemical weapons inspectors to carry out tests.

An unidentified consultant who is treating the Skripals said they were both heavily sedated, unable to communicate and that it was not possible to saw when or to what extent either may regain mental capacity, according to the ruling.

They are both in a physically stable condition, the consultant said.

A nerve agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia may have left them with compromised mental capacity and it is unclear whether they will recover, a British judge said

A nerve agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia may have left them with compromised mental capacity and it is unclear whether they will recover, a British judge said on Thursday in a ruling. "The precise effect of their exposure on their long-term health remains unclear albeit medical tests indicate that their mental capacity might be compromised to an unknown and so far unascertained degree," Judge David Williams said in his ruling. Williams was giving permission for blood samples to be taken from the Skripals by doctors to allow chemical weapons inspectors to carry out tests. An unidentified consultant who is treating the Skripals said they were both heavily sedated, unable to communicate and that it was not possible to saw when or to what extent either may regain mental capacity, according to the ruling. They are both in a physically stable condition, the consultant said.

Skripal's mental capacity may be compromised after nerve attack, court hears

A Russian Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday that Britain may be behind a chemical attack on Yulia Skripal, daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.

&quot;Logic suggests that there are only two possible things,&quot; Vladimir Yermakov, head of the ministry&#39;s non-proliferation and arms control department, told a meeting with foreign ambassadors based in Moscow.

&quot;Either the British authorities are not able to provide protection from such a, let&#39;s say, terrorist attack on their soil, or they, whether directly or indirectly, I am not accusing anyone, have orchestrated an attack on a Russian citizen&quot;, Yermakov said.

A Russian Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday that Britain may be behind a chemical attack on Yulia Skripal, daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal

A Russian Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday that Britain may be behind a chemical attack on Yulia Skripal, daughter of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal. "Logic suggests that there are only two possible things," Vladimir Yermakov, head of the ministry's non-proliferation and arms control department, told a meeting with foreign ambassadors based in Moscow. "Either the British authorities are not able to provide protection from such a, let's say, terrorist attack on their soil, or they, whether directly or indirectly, I am not accusing anyone, have orchestrated an attack on a Russian citizen", Yermakov said.

Russia foreign ministry: Britain may be behind attack on Skripal's daughter

Russia hit back at Britain in the spy poisoning row on Monday, demanding proof of its alleged involvement in a nerve agent attack, as international weapons experts arrived to take samples of the toxic substance.

The March 4 poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal, which took place just two weeks ahead of Russia&#39;s presidential poll in which Vladimir Putin was re-elected, has plunged relations between London and Moscow into crisis.

As the European Union offered Britain its &quot;unqualified solidarity&quot;, the Kremlin demanded London either come up with proof of Russia&#39;s involvement -- or apologise.&nbsp;

&quot;Sooner or later these unsubstantiated allegations will have to be answered for: either backed up with the appropriate evidence or apologised for,&quot; said Putin&#39;s spokesman Dmitry Peskov.&nbsp;

Putin himself on Sunday rejected as &quot;complete drivel, rubbish, nonsense&quot; the allegations by London and its allies that Russia was behind the attack on Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury.

Speaking in Brussels alongside British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia&#39;s response had so far &quot;demonstrated a clear disregard for international peace and security&quot;.

&#39;Pattern of behaviour&#39;

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday repeated her belief that Russia was responsible.&nbsp;

&quot;They have the capability. This nerve agent was one from a group of Novichoks that were developed by the Soviets,&quot; she said while visiting Birmingham.&nbsp;

&quot;Russia has the capability and, I believe, the motive and intent and this is part of a pattern of behaviour we see from Russia across Europe,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

Britain has pointed to the 2006 radiation poisoning of former spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in London -- blamed on Moscow -- and Russian activity in Crimea and Ukraine.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States issued a joint statement last week blaming Russia for the attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II.

EU foreign ministers on Monday offered Britain their full support, although sources say some states have been reluctant to put pressure on Moscow over the incident.

&quot;The European Union takes extremely seriously the UK government&#39;s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible,&quot; they said.

The nerve agent attack is expected to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels starting on Thursday.

Russia&#39;s foreign ministry issued a statement Monday saying it was &quot;perplexed by the extreme haste EU members have considered... the British inventions over Russia&#39;s involvement in the tragic incident in Salisbury.

&quot;We regret that the EU, by omitting obvious facts and considerations, has once again fallen victim to &#39;European solidarity&#39; and accumulated anti-Russian reflexes.&quot;

Putin defiant

Skripal, a former Russian officer who sold secrets to Britain and moved there in a 2010 spy swap, remains in critical condition along with his daughter after they were found unconscious on a park bench.

Investigators from the international Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) arrived in Britain on Monday to collect samples of the nerve agent used.

They will meet officials from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, where the chemical was identified as the Soviet-designed Novichok.

They will also meet police before sending samples to international laboratories for testing, with results expected to take at least two weeks, according to British officials.

Britain last week announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, prompting a tit-for-tat response from Moscow. Britain also announced a boycott by members of the royal family and ministers of this summer&#39;s World Cup football tournament in Russia.

The US, France and Germany have also called for Russia to fully disclose details of its Novichok programme to the OPCW, a demand also backed by the EU foreign ministers.

French President Emmanuel Macron repeated Monday that Moscow should &quot;shed light on the responsibilities for the unacceptable attack in Salisbury, and to firmly regain control of any programmes that have not been declared&quot; to the OPCW.

But his first direct comments on the incident, after winning a fourth term in Russia&#39;s election on Sunday, Putin was defiant.

&quot;We have destroyed all chemical weapons,&quot; he said, pledging that Russia was ready to cooperate in the investigation.

On Sunday, Britain&#39;s Johnson accused Moscow of stockpiling the nerve agent over the last ten years in violation of the international Chemical Weapons Convention.

But Moscow has suggested that Britain itself may have been the source of the chemical, along with Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Sweden -- who strongly denied it.

 
&nbsp;

The Kremlin demanded London either come up with proof of Russia's involvement -- or apologise

Russia hit back at Britain in the spy poisoning row on Monday, demanding proof of its alleged involvement in a nerve agent attack, as international weapons experts arrived to take samples of the toxic substance. The March 4 poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal, which took place just two weeks ahead of Russia's presidential poll in which Vladimir Putin was re-elected, has plunged relations between London and Moscow into crisis. As the European Union offered Britain its "unqualified solidarity", the Kremlin demanded London either come up with proof of Russia's involvement -- or apologise. "Sooner or later these unsubstantiated allegations will have to be answered for: either backed up with the appropriate evidence or apologised for," said Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Putin himself on Sunday rejected as "complete drivel, rubbish, nonsense" the allegations by London and its allies that Russia was behind the attack on Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury. Speaking in Brussels alongside British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia's response had so far "demonstrated a clear disregard for international peace and security". 'Pattern of behaviour' British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday repeated her belief that Russia was responsible. "They have the capability. This nerve agent was one from a group of Novichoks that were developed by the Soviets," she said while visiting Birmingham. "Russia has the capability and, I believe, the motive and intent and this is part of a pattern of behaviour we see from Russia across Europe," she said. Britain has pointed to the 2006 radiation poisoning of former spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in London -- blamed on Moscow -- and Russian activity in Crimea and Ukraine. Britain, France, Germany and the United States issued a joint statement last week blaming Russia for the attack, the first offensive use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II. EU foreign ministers on Monday offered Britain their full support, although sources say some states have been reluctant to put pressure on Moscow over the incident. "The European Union takes extremely seriously the UK government's assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible," they said. The nerve agent attack is expected to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels starting on Thursday. Russia's foreign ministry issued a statement Monday saying it was "perplexed by the extreme haste EU members have considered... the British inventions over Russia's involvement in the tragic incident in Salisbury. "We regret that the EU, by omitting obvious facts and considerations, has once again fallen victim to 'European solidarity' and accumulated anti-Russian reflexes." Putin defiant Skripal, a former Russian officer who sold secrets to Britain and moved there in a 2010 spy swap, remains in critical condition along with his daughter after they were found unconscious on a park bench. Investigators from the international Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) arrived in Britain on Monday to collect samples of the nerve agent used. They will meet officials from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, where the chemical was identified as the Soviet-designed Novichok. They will also meet police before sending samples to international laboratories for testing, with results expected to take at least two weeks, according to British officials. Britain last week announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, prompting a tit-for-tat response from Moscow. Britain also announced a boycott by members of the royal family and ministers of this summer's World Cup football tournament in Russia. The US, France and Germany have also called for Russia to fully disclose details of its Novichok programme to the OPCW, a demand also backed by the EU foreign ministers. French President Emmanuel Macron repeated Monday that Moscow should "shed light on the responsibilities for the unacceptable attack in Salisbury, and to firmly regain control of any programmes that have not been declared" to the OPCW. But his first direct comments on the incident, after winning a fourth term in Russia's election on Sunday, Putin was defiant. "We have destroyed all chemical weapons," he said, pledging that Russia was ready to cooperate in the investigation. On Sunday, Britain's Johnson accused Moscow of stockpiling the nerve agent over the last ten years in violation of the international Chemical Weapons Convention. But Moscow has suggested that Britain itself may have been the source of the chemical, along with Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Sweden -- who strongly denied it.

Russia demands proof in spy poisoning row as experts called in

International chemical weapons experts were due to arrive in Britain Monday to collect samples of a nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy as London accused Moscow of stockpiling the toxin used in the attack.

The poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4 has triggered a crisis with Britain and Russia expelling diplomats in tit-for-tat measures.

London and its allies have blamed Moscow for the attack which left the Skripals in critical condition after exposure to a nerve agent.

Technical experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will visit Britain on Monday to collect samples of the toxin, which London says is a Soviet-designed military grade nerve agent called Novichok.

&quot;These will then be despatched to highly-reputable international laboratories selected by the OPCW for testing with results expected to take a minimum of two weeks,&quot; Britain&#39;s Foreign Office said in a statement.

President Vladimir Putin has rejected allegations Russia was behind the attack.

&quot;It&#39;s complete drivel, rubbish, nonsense that somebody in Russia would allow themselves to do such a thing ahead of elections and the World Cup,&quot; Putin told supporters Sunday after winning a fourth term as president.

&quot;We have destroyed all chemical weapons,&quot; he said, adding that Russia was ready to take part in the investigation.

Putin&#39;s comments came after British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson accused Russia of stockpiling the nerve agent used in the attack.

&quot;We actually have evidence within the last 10 years that Russia has not only been investigating the delivery of nerve agents for the purposes of assassination, but has also been creating and stockpiling Novichok,&quot; Johnson told the BBC&#39;s Andrew Marr Show.

&#39;Sarcasm and denial&#39; 
Johnson said Britain would target wealth linked to the Kremlin in response to the poisoning of the former Russian double agent.

&quot;Where people have obtained wealth by corruption and where we can see a link with the Kremlin, with Vladimir Putin, it may be possible to have unexplained wealth orders and other sanctions on those individuals,&quot; he said.

Johnson said the government was considering something similar to the US &quot;Magnitsky Act&quot; which was adopted in 2012 to punish Russian officials accused of human rights violations.

The act imposed a visa ban and froze the assets of Russian officials implicated in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, a tax fraud whistleblower who died in Russian custody in 2009.

Johnson accused the Russians of &quot;smug sarcasm and denial&quot; in response to the accusations, and said the international community was behind Britain.

Moscow&#39;s &quot;malign, disruptive behaviour&quot; internationally was the reason why allies were &quot;inclined not to give Russia the benefit of the doubt,&quot; he added.

Johnson is expected to brief his EU counterparts on the case at a meeting of foreign ministers and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Monday.

Russia&#39;s ambassador to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, has also insisted Moscow &quot;had nothing to do&quot; with the attack and appeared to suggest that Britain itself may have been the source of the chemical agent.&nbsp;

&quot;When you have a nerve agent, you check it against certain samples you have in your laboratories,&quot; he said Saturday.

&quot;And Porton Down, as we now all know, is the largest military facility in the UK that has been dealing with chemical weapons research -- and it&#39;s actually only eight miles from Salisbury.&quot;

Johnson called the accusation &quot;satirical&quot;, adding it was &quot;not the response of a country that really believes itself it to be innocent.&quot;

London and its allies have blamed Moscow for the attack which left former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yuliya in critical condition after exposure to a nerve agent

International chemical weapons experts were due to arrive in Britain Monday to collect samples of a nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy as London accused Moscow of stockpiling the toxin used in the attack. The poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4 has triggered a crisis with Britain and Russia expelling diplomats in tit-for-tat measures. London and its allies have blamed Moscow for the attack which left the Skripals in critical condition after exposure to a nerve agent. Technical experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will visit Britain on Monday to collect samples of the toxin, which London says is a Soviet-designed military grade nerve agent called Novichok. "These will then be despatched to highly-reputable international laboratories selected by the OPCW for testing with results expected to take a minimum of two weeks," Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement. President Vladimir Putin has rejected allegations Russia was behind the attack. "It's complete drivel, rubbish, nonsense that somebody in Russia would allow themselves to do such a thing ahead of elections and the World Cup," Putin told supporters Sunday after winning a fourth term as president. "We have destroyed all chemical weapons," he said, adding that Russia was ready to take part in the investigation. Putin's comments came after British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson accused Russia of stockpiling the nerve agent used in the attack. "We actually have evidence within the last 10 years that Russia has not only been investigating the delivery of nerve agents for the purposes of assassination, but has also been creating and stockpiling Novichok," Johnson told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. 'Sarcasm and denial' Johnson said Britain would target wealth linked to the Kremlin in response to the poisoning of the former Russian double agent. "Where people have obtained wealth by corruption and where we can see a link with the Kremlin, with Vladimir Putin, it may be possible to have unexplained wealth orders and other sanctions on those individuals," he said. Johnson said the government was considering something similar to the US "Magnitsky Act" which was adopted in 2012 to punish Russian officials accused of human rights violations. The act imposed a visa ban and froze the assets of Russian officials implicated in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, a tax fraud whistleblower who died in Russian custody in 2009. Johnson accused the Russians of "smug sarcasm and denial" in response to the accusations, and said the international community was behind Britain. Moscow's "malign, disruptive behaviour" internationally was the reason why allies were "inclined not to give Russia the benefit of the doubt," he added. Johnson is expected to brief his EU counterparts on the case at a meeting of foreign ministers and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on Monday. Russia's ambassador to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, has also insisted Moscow "had nothing to do" with the attack and appeared to suggest that Britain itself may have been the source of the chemical agent. "When you have a nerve agent, you check it against certain samples you have in your laboratories," he said Saturday. "And Porton Down, as we now all know, is the largest military facility in the UK that has been dealing with chemical weapons research -- and it's actually only eight miles from Salisbury." Johnson called the accusation "satirical", adding it was "not the response of a country that really believes itself it to be innocent."

Chemical weapons experts head to Britain in Russia spy case

Britain provoked Russia&#39;s wrath on Friday by directly implicating Vladimir Putin in the poisoning<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-vows-to-respond-to-britain-over-spy-attack-any-minute-36060"> attack on an ex-double agent</a>, with the Kremlin saying the claims were &quot;shocking and unforgivable&quot;.

The war of words between Moscow and London over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy escalated as Britain&#39;s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said his government&#39;s &quot;quarrel&quot; was with Putin rather than the Russian people.

&quot;We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War,&quot; Johnson said in London.

Putin&#39;s spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded saying Johnson&#39;s claims violated all rules of diplomatic protocol.

Linking Putin to the attack on Sergei Skripal, who moved to Britain in a 2010 spy swap, &quot;is nothing but shocking and unforgivable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy&quot;, Peskov told Russian news agencies.

The crisis has unravelled in the thick of Russia&#39;s presidential campaign, with Putin expected to win a fourth Kremlin term on Sunday.

In a rare joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the United States on Thursday condemned the attack on Skripal and his daughter Yulia -- both in a critical but stable condition in hospital -- as an &quot;assault on UK sovereignty&quot;.

They said there &quot;no plausible alternative explanation&quot; for the use of the Soviet-designed nerve agent other than Russian responsibility.

Police officer Nick Bailey, who initially attended to the Skripals, was also in hospital in a critical state, though conscious, but his health has improved and he is now in a stable condition, England&#39;s health service said Friday.

Alexander Yakovenko, Russia&#39;s ambassador to Britain, told Channel 4 television that Britain&#39;s response to the attack was a &quot;gross provocation&quot;.

He branded the British investigation &quot;untransparent and secret&quot;, adding that there was &quot;no proof&quot; that Skripal was gravely ill.

Moscow opens probes&nbsp; 
 
The Kremlin has vehemently denied it had a hand in the poisoning of its former spy in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.&nbsp;

London&#39;s key allies have closed ranks against Putin after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats and suspended high-level contacts, among other measures.

On Friday, Russia said it could hit back at Britain at &quot;any minute&quot; with its own raft of punitive measures.

The Kremlin has indicated it would expel British diplomats in a riposte to London&#39;s move as well as adopt other measures that would &quot;most suit Moscow&#39;s interests&quot;.

&quot;All the steps will be well thought out,&quot; Peskov said.

Meanwhile the Investigative Committee, which reports to Putin, opened a probe into the &quot;attempted premeditated murder&quot; of Skripal&#39;s daughter, a Russian national, which it said had been &quot;carried out in a way that was dangerous to the public&quot;.

At the same time a separate probe was opened into the mysterious death of Nikolai Glushkov, a Russian exile who was found dead at his London home this week.

London&#39;s Metropolitan Police later announced their own murder investigation, saying Glushkov had suffered compression of the neck.

Scepticism in Russia&nbsp;

Putin has barely weighed in on the row, telling a BBC reporter this week: &quot;Sort things out from your side and then we will discuss this with you.&quot;

Russia insists it had no motive to target Skripal with what Britain says was a highly potent Soviet-designed nerve agent called Novichok, in the first such attack in Europe since World War II.

Skripal had taken his daughter, who was on a visit from Moscow, out for lunch before they both collapsed on a bench.

Many Russians remain sceptical that the state was responsible and some analysts have not ruled out the involvement of ordinary criminals or rogue agents.

The incident revived memories of the fate of Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian dissident who died of Polonium radiation poisoning in a 2006 attack in Britain that London blamed on Moscow.

EU president Donald Tusk said Friday that the bloc would discuss the attack at a Brussels summit next week, adding it would send a &quot;clear message&quot;.

&nbsp;&#39;We don&#39;t want Cold War&#39; 
 
Vil Mirzayanov, a Soviet-era chemist who helped create Novichok but later revealed the existence of Moscow&#39;s classified programme, said terrorists could not produce it.&nbsp;

&quot;To create its components one needs powerful labs and very experienced personnel which only exist in several countries,&quot; the now US-based whistleblower told opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta.

Britain on Friday said that it had invited the chemical weapons watchdog OPCW to take a sample of the poison for analysis, under Article 8 of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

May warned more measures could follow against Russia, noting that the US-led NATO alliance and the UN Security Council had discussed the attack.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday the alliance did not want a return to Cold War hostilities with Russia while expressing support for Britain&#39;s stance.

&quot;We don&#39;t want a new Cold War,&quot; he told BBC radio.

Britain provoked Russia's wrath on Friday by directly implicating Vladimir Putin in the poisoning attack on an ex-double agent

Britain provoked Russia's wrath on Friday by directly implicating Vladimir Putin in the poisoning attack on an ex-double agent, with the Kremlin saying the claims were "shocking and unforgivable". The war of words between Moscow and London over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy escalated as Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said his government's "quarrel" was with Putin rather than the Russian people. "We think it overwhelmingly likely that it was his decision to direct the use of a nerve agent on the streets of the UK, on the streets of Europe, for the first time since the Second World War," Johnson said in London. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded saying Johnson's claims violated all rules of diplomatic protocol. Linking Putin to the attack on Sergei Skripal, who moved to Britain in a 2010 spy swap, "is nothing but shocking and unforgivable behaviour from the point of view of diplomacy", Peskov told Russian news agencies. The crisis has unravelled in the thick of Russia's presidential campaign, with Putin expected to win a fourth Kremlin term on Sunday. In a rare joint statement, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and the United States on Thursday condemned the attack on Skripal and his daughter Yulia -- both in a critical but stable condition in hospital -- as an "assault on UK sovereignty". They said there "no plausible alternative explanation" for the use of the Soviet-designed nerve agent other than Russian responsibility. Police officer Nick Bailey, who initially attended to the Skripals, was also in hospital in a critical state, though conscious, but his health has improved and he is now in a stable condition, England's health service said Friday. Alexander Yakovenko, Russia's ambassador to Britain, told Channel 4 television that Britain's response to the attack was a "gross provocation". He branded the British investigation "untransparent and secret", adding that there was "no proof" that Skripal was gravely ill. Moscow opens probes The Kremlin has vehemently denied it had a hand in the poisoning of its former spy in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. London's key allies have closed ranks against Putin after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats and suspended high-level contacts, among other measures. On Friday, Russia said it could hit back at Britain at "any minute" with its own raft of punitive measures. The Kremlin has indicated it would expel British diplomats in a riposte to London's move as well as adopt other measures that would "most suit Moscow's interests". "All the steps will be well thought out," Peskov said. Meanwhile the Investigative Committee, which reports to Putin, opened a probe into the "attempted premeditated murder" of Skripal's daughter, a Russian national, which it said had been "carried out in a way that was dangerous to the public". At the same time a separate probe was opened into the mysterious death of Nikolai Glushkov, a Russian exile who was found dead at his London home this week. London's Metropolitan Police later announced their own murder investigation, saying Glushkov had suffered compression of the neck. Scepticism in Russia Putin has barely weighed in on the row, telling a BBC reporter this week: "Sort things out from your side and then we will discuss this with you." Russia insists it had no motive to target Skripal with what Britain says was a highly potent Soviet-designed nerve agent called Novichok, in the first such attack in Europe since World War II. Skripal had taken his daughter, who was on a visit from Moscow, out for lunch before they both collapsed on a bench. Many Russians remain sceptical that the state was responsible and some analysts have not ruled out the involvement of ordinary criminals or rogue agents. The incident revived memories of the fate of Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian dissident who died of Polonium radiation poisoning in a 2006 attack in Britain that London blamed on Moscow. EU president Donald Tusk said Friday that the bloc would discuss the attack at a Brussels summit next week, adding it would send a "clear message". 'We don't want Cold War' Vil Mirzayanov, a Soviet-era chemist who helped create Novichok but later revealed the existence of Moscow's classified programme, said terrorists could not produce it. "To create its components one needs powerful labs and very experienced personnel which only exist in several countries," the now US-based whistleblower told opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Britain on Friday said that it had invited the chemical weapons watchdog OPCW to take a sample of the poison for analysis, under Article 8 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. May warned more measures could follow against Russia, noting that the US-led NATO alliance and the UN Security Council had discussed the attack. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday the alliance did not want a return to Cold War hostilities with Russia while expressing support for Britain's stance. "We don't want a new Cold War," he told BBC radio.

Kremlin furious as Britain blames Putin for ex-spy attack

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday expelled 23 diplomats and suspended high-level contacts with Russia including for the World Cup, saying her government found Moscow &quot;culpable&quot; of a nerve agent attack on a former spy.

May said she would be pushing for a &quot;robust international response&quot; when the UN Security Council meets later Wednesday in New York to discuss the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter on March 4.

Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement and its London embassy warned that May&#39;s response was &quot;totally unacceptable and shortsighted&quot;.

May told parliament that Russia had failed to respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed chemical, Novichok, was used in the English city of Salisbury.

&quot;There is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian State was culpable for the attempted murder of Mr Skripal and his daughter,&quot; she said.

&quot;This represents an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the United Kingdom.&quot;

&#39;Hostile activities&#39; 
In measures drawn up at a meeting of her national security council earlier Wednesday, May announced that 23 Russian diplomats believed to be undeclared intelligence officers must leave Britain in a week.

She suspended all planned high-level contacts, which includes revoking an invitation for Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to visit but said she did not want to break off relations entirely.

May also confirmed that neither members of the royal family or ministers would attend the football World Cup in Russia later this year.

And she outlined fresh measures against people travelling to or living in Britain who were responsible for violations of human rights or planned &quot;hostile activities&quot;.

NATO allies, including the United States, have expressed their support for Britain following the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since World War II.

Along with the UN Security Council meeting in New York, EU Council President Donald Tusk indicated that the issue would be on the agenda of next week&#39;s summit of the bloc&#39;s leaders in Brussels.

Russian &#39;defiance&#39; 
May said on Monday that it was &quot;highly likely&quot; that Russia was behind the attack, which left Skripal and his daughter in a critical condition in hospital, while a policeman was also hospitalised.

She had given Moscow until midnight Tuesday to explain whether it was directly responsible or &quot;lost control&quot; of the nerve agent, but said it has responded with &quot;sarcasm, contempt and defiance&quot;.

President Vladimir Putin&#39;s spokesman said again Wednesday that it had &quot;nothing to do with the accident in Britain&quot;, but warned it would not accept the &quot;language of ultimatums&quot;.

Lavrov has said the Kremlin is ready to cooperate with Britain but complained that its request for samples of the nerve agent had been rejected.

Moscow has also warned that it will take retaliatory measures, and on Tuesday threatened to expel British media from Russia if the licence of its state broadcaster RT was threatened in Britain.

May on Wednesday blamed Putin for a deterioration of relations between Moscow and London, saying it was &quot;tragic that President Putin has chosen to act in this way&quot;.

But the Russian embassy said the British government was responsible.&nbsp;

Allied support 
Britain is wary of acting alone and May has spoken to US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in recent days.

In a phone call late Tuesday, Trump and May &quot;agreed on the need for consequences for those who use these heinous weapons in flagrant violation of international norms&quot;, the White House said.

In a joint statement by its 29 member states, the US-led NATO alliance said the attack was a &quot;clear breach of international norms and agreements&quot; and called on Russia to fully disclose details of the Novichok programme.

British experts say Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter, who was visiting from Russia, were poisoned with a nerve agent from a broad category known as Novichok, which developed by the Soviet Union during the late stages of the Cold War.&nbsp;

The Russian chemist who first revealed the existence of Novichok, Vil Mirzayanov, said &quot;only the Russians&quot; developed the Novichok agents.

&quot;They kept it and are still keeping it in secrecy,&quot; he said from his home in the US, where he moved in 1995 after 30 years of working for the State Scientific Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology.

The Salisbury case has drawn parallels with the 2006 death by radiation poisoning of former Russian agent and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, which Britain blamed on Moscow.

In a further twist, former senior Russian executive Nikolai Glushkov, linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky, was found dead in London on Tuesday in unexplained circumstances, British and Russian media reported.

&nbsp;

May said she would be pushing for a "robust international response" when the UN Security Council meets later Wednesday in New York to discuss the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter on March 4

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday expelled 23 diplomats and suspended high-level contacts with Russia including for the World Cup, saying her government found Moscow "culpable" of a nerve agent attack on a former spy. May said she would be pushing for a "robust international response" when the UN Security Council meets later Wednesday in New York to discuss the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter on March 4. Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement and its London embassy warned that May's response was "totally unacceptable and shortsighted". May told parliament that Russia had failed to respond to her demand for an explanation on how a Soviet-designed chemical, Novichok, was used in the English city of Salisbury. "There is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian State was culpable for the attempted murder of Mr Skripal and his daughter," she said. "This represents an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the United Kingdom." 'Hostile activities' In measures drawn up at a meeting of her national security council earlier Wednesday, May announced that 23 Russian diplomats believed to be undeclared intelligence officers must leave Britain in a week. She suspended all planned high-level contacts, which includes revoking an invitation for Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to visit but said she did not want to break off relations entirely. May also confirmed that neither members of the royal family or ministers would attend the football World Cup in Russia later this year. And she outlined fresh measures against people travelling to or living in Britain who were responsible for violations of human rights or planned "hostile activities". NATO allies, including the United States, have expressed their support for Britain following the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since World War II. Along with the UN Security Council meeting in New York, EU Council President Donald Tusk indicated that the issue would be on the agenda of next week's summit of the bloc's leaders in Brussels. Russian 'defiance' May said on Monday that it was "highly likely" that Russia was behind the attack, which left Skripal and his daughter in a critical condition in hospital, while a policeman was also hospitalised. She had given Moscow until midnight Tuesday to explain whether it was directly responsible or "lost control" of the nerve agent, but said it has responded with "sarcasm, contempt and defiance". President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said again Wednesday that it had "nothing to do with the accident in Britain", but warned it would not accept the "language of ultimatums". Lavrov has said the Kremlin is ready to cooperate with Britain but complained that its request for samples of the nerve agent had been rejected. Moscow has also warned that it will take retaliatory measures, and on Tuesday threatened to expel British media from Russia if the licence of its state broadcaster RT was threatened in Britain. May on Wednesday blamed Putin for a deterioration of relations between Moscow and London, saying it was "tragic that President Putin has chosen to act in this way". But the Russian embassy said the British government was responsible. Allied support Britain is wary of acting alone and May has spoken to US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in recent days. In a phone call late Tuesday, Trump and May "agreed on the need for consequences for those who use these heinous weapons in flagrant violation of international norms", the White House said. In a joint statement by its 29 member states, the US-led NATO alliance said the attack was a "clear breach of international norms and agreements" and called on Russia to fully disclose details of the Novichok programme. British experts say Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter, who was visiting from Russia, were poisoned with a nerve agent from a broad category known as Novichok, which developed by the Soviet Union during the late stages of the Cold War. The Russian chemist who first revealed the existence of Novichok, Vil Mirzayanov, said "only the Russians" developed the Novichok agents. "They kept it and are still keeping it in secrecy," he said from his home in the US, where he moved in 1995 after 30 years of working for the State Scientific Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology. The Salisbury case has drawn parallels with the 2006 death by radiation poisoning of former Russian agent and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, which Britain blamed on Moscow. In a further twist, former senior Russian executive Nikolai Glushkov, linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky, was found dead in London on Tuesday in unexplained circumstances, British and Russian media reported.

Britain expels 23 Russian diplomats over spy poisoning, May says Moscow 'culpable'

Russia warned Britain on Tuesday to expect reprisals if it announces sanctions over the poisoning of a former double agent, as the US and other allies joined London in demanding answers on how a Soviet-designed nerve agent was used in the attack.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says Russia was &quot;highly likely&quot; to be behind the attack, giving Moscow until midnight Tuesday to provide answers on the March 4 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

In Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted &quot;Russia is not guilty&quot;, saying it was ready to cooperate with Britain but complaining that its request for samples of the nerve agent had been rejected.

The Russian embassy said it had formally demanded the government allow a joint investigation, saying &quot;without that, there can be no sense in any statements from London&quot;.

In the first sign of the practical implications of the growing diplomatic crisis, Russia threatened to bar all British media if British authorities banned the Kremlin-backed RT broadcaster.

British regulator Ofcom has warned it could review RT&#39;s licence if Russia were found to have been responsible for the attack on Skripal, who came to Britain in a 2010 spy swap.

The United States, NATO and the European Union have all backed Britain in its stand-off with Moscow, following what is believed to be the first nerve agent attack in Europe since World War II.

In a phone call with May on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said Russia must &quot;provide unambiguous answers&quot;.

The two leaders &quot;agreed on the need for consequences for those who use these heinous weapons in flagrant violation of international norms&quot;, the White House said.

Allies back Britain&nbsp;

May on Monday gave Moscow an ultimatum to explain whether Skripal&#39;s attempted murder was a state-sponsored attack, or whether it had &quot;lost control&quot; of the nerve agent.

She demanded Moscow disclose details of the development of the Novichok nerve agents programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

But addressing OPCW, Russian ambassador Alexander Shulgin accused British officials of launching &quot;vicious attacks&quot; against Moscow and &quot;fomenting hysteria&quot;.

Pharmacology experts said Novichok, a broad category of more than 100 nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union during the late stages of the Cold War, was &quot;more dangerous and sophisticated&quot; than sarin or VX.

May will gather her National Security Council on Wednesday morning &quot;to discuss the response from Russia&quot;, and will then give a statement to MPs, her spokesman said.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson attempted to rally support on Tuesday by calling his counterparts and vowing that if Russian was responsible, &quot;this would be further reckless behaviour which threatens the international community and requires an international response,&quot; according to a Foreign Office statement.

Canadian ambassador Timothy Edwards told the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) the two scenarios outlined by May were &quot;deeply troubling&quot;.

European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said the EU was united in &quot;unwavering&quot; solidarity, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was taking the British accusation &quot;extremely seriously&quot;.

French President Emmanuel Macron said for his part the attack was &quot;unacceptable&quot; and &quot;reaffirmed France&#39;s commitment to fighting impunity when it comes to chemical weapons use,&quot; his office said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the incident was &quot;of great concern&quot; amid reports that Britain was consulting NATO allies about possibly invoking its Article 5 principle of common defence.

They will not recover

Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain in critical condition in hospital after being found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in the southwestern city of Salisbury on March 4.

May said Moscow had previously produced a group of nerve agents known as Novichok, had a history of state-sponsored assassinations and viewed defectors such as Skripal as legitimate targets.

Vil Mirzayanov, a chemist who worked on the Novichok programme and now lives in the United States, said the nerve agent&#39;s effects were &quot;brutal&quot;.

&quot;These people are gone -- the man and his daughter. Even if they survive they will not recover,&quot; the 83-year-old told The Telegraph newspaper.

A policeman was also taken ill, and police revealed Tuesday that 35 people were assessed at the time, all but one of whom were swiftly released. That person is being monitored as an outpatient.

The case has prompted comparisons with the 2006 radiation poisoning of former spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, which a British public inquiry blamed on Russia.

In a further twist, former senior Russian executive Nikolai Glushkov, linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky, was found dead in London in unexplained circumstances, British and Russian media reported.

British Prime Minister Theresa May says Russia was 'highly likely' to be behind the attack, giving Moscow until midnight Tuesday to provide answers

Russia warned Britain on Tuesday to expect reprisals if it announces sanctions over the poisoning of a former double agent, as the US and other allies joined London in demanding answers on how a Soviet-designed nerve agent was used in the attack. British Prime Minister Theresa May says Russia was "highly likely" to be behind the attack, giving Moscow until midnight Tuesday to provide answers on the March 4 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. In Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted "Russia is not guilty", saying it was ready to cooperate with Britain but complaining that its request for samples of the nerve agent had been rejected. The Russian embassy said it had formally demanded the government allow a joint investigation, saying "without that, there can be no sense in any statements from London". In the first sign of the practical implications of the growing diplomatic crisis, Russia threatened to bar all British media if British authorities banned the Kremlin-backed RT broadcaster. British regulator Ofcom has warned it could review RT's licence if Russia were found to have been responsible for the attack on Skripal, who came to Britain in a 2010 spy swap. The United States, NATO and the European Union have all backed Britain in its stand-off with Moscow, following what is believed to be the first nerve agent attack in Europe since World War II. In a phone call with May on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said Russia must "provide unambiguous answers". The two leaders "agreed on the need for consequences for those who use these heinous weapons in flagrant violation of international norms", the White House said. Allies back Britain May on Monday gave Moscow an ultimatum to explain whether Skripal's attempted murder was a state-sponsored attack, or whether it had "lost control" of the nerve agent. She demanded Moscow disclose details of the development of the Novichok nerve agents programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). But addressing OPCW, Russian ambassador Alexander Shulgin accused British officials of launching "vicious attacks" against Moscow and "fomenting hysteria". Pharmacology experts said Novichok, a broad category of more than 100 nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union during the late stages of the Cold War, was "more dangerous and sophisticated" than sarin or VX. May will gather her National Security Council on Wednesday morning "to discuss the response from Russia", and will then give a statement to MPs, her spokesman said. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson attempted to rally support on Tuesday by calling his counterparts and vowing that if Russian was responsible, "this would be further reckless behaviour which threatens the international community and requires an international response," according to a Foreign Office statement. Canadian ambassador Timothy Edwards told the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) the two scenarios outlined by May were "deeply troubling". European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said the EU was united in "unwavering" solidarity, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was taking the British accusation "extremely seriously". French President Emmanuel Macron said for his part the attack was "unacceptable" and "reaffirmed France's commitment to fighting impunity when it comes to chemical weapons use," his office said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the incident was "of great concern" amid reports that Britain was consulting NATO allies about possibly invoking its Article 5 principle of common defence. They will not recover Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain in critical condition in hospital after being found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in the southwestern city of Salisbury on March 4. May said Moscow had previously produced a group of nerve agents known as Novichok, had a history of state-sponsored assassinations and viewed defectors such as Skripal as legitimate targets. Vil Mirzayanov, a chemist who worked on the Novichok programme and now lives in the United States, said the nerve agent's effects were "brutal". "These people are gone -- the man and his daughter. Even if they survive they will not recover," the 83-year-old told The Telegraph newspaper. A policeman was also taken ill, and police revealed Tuesday that 35 people were assessed at the time, all but one of whom were swiftly released. That person is being monitored as an outpatient. The case has prompted comparisons with the 2006 radiation poisoning of former spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, which a British public inquiry blamed on Russia. In a further twist, former senior Russian executive Nikolai Glushkov, linked to late Kremlin opponent Boris Berezovsky, was found dead in London in unexplained circumstances, British and Russian media reported.

Russia warns of reprisals if UK acts over spy attack

British police raced on Tuesday to identify the substance suspected of striking down a former Russian double agent convicted of treason in Moscow for betraying dozens of spies to British intelligence.

Britain&#39;s top counter-terrorism officer, Mark Rowley, said investigators needed to be &quot;alive to the fact of state threats&quot; after Sergei Skripal, once a colonel in Russia&#39;s GRU military intelligence service, was taken ill.

The 66-year-old former spy and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, were found on Sunday unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in the English city of Salisbury after exposure to what police said was an unknown substance.

Both were critically ill in intensive care.

Skripal, who passed the identity of dozens of spies to the MI6 foreign intelligence agency, was given refuge in Britain after he was exchanged in 2010 for Russian spies caught in the West as part of a Cold War-style spy swap at Vienna airport.

While the British authorities said there was no known risk to the public, police sealed off the area where the former spy was found and a pizza restaurant called Zizzi in the centre of Salisbury. Some investigators wore yellow chemical suits.

&quot;We&#39;re speaking to witnesses, we&#39;re taking forensic samples at the scene, we&#39;re doing toxicology work and that will help us to get to an answer,&quot; Rowley told BBC radio. He said counter-terrorism police were assisting the investigation.

&quot;We have to remember: Russian exiles aren&#39;t immortal, they do all die and there can be a tendency to conspiracy theories. But likewise we have to be alive to the fact of state threats,&quot; he said, pointing to the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

A British inquiry said President Vladimir Putin probably approved the 2006 murder of ex-KGB agent Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210 in London. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killing of Litvinenko.

Litvinenko, 43, an outspoken critic of Putin who fled Russia for Britain six years before he was poisoned, died after drinking green tea laced with the rare and very potent radioactive isotope at London&rsquo;s Millennium Hotel.

It took some time for British doctors to discern the cause of Litvinenko&#39;s illness.

British police did not release the names of those who were being treated but two sources close to the investigation told Reuters that the critically ill man was Skripal. It was unclear what the substance was, they said.

The BBC, which first reported Skripal&#39;s name, said his daughter Yulia was the 33-year-old woman found beside him.

The Kremlin said it was ready to cooperate if Britain asks it for help investigating the incident with Skripal.

&quot;Nobody has approached us with such a request,&quot; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with reporters when asked if the British authorities had been in touch seeking help. &quot;Moscow is always open for cooperation.&quot;

Calling it a &quot;tragic situation,&quot; Peskov said the Kremlin did not have information about the incident.

RUSSIAN SPY

Asked to respond to British media speculation that Russia had poisoned Skripal, Peskov said: &quot;It didn&#39;t take them long.&quot;

Skripal was arrested in 2004 by Russia&#39;s Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of betraying dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006 after a secret trial.

Skripal, who was at the time shown wearing a track suit in a cage in court during the sentencing, had admitted betraying agents to MI6 in return for money, some of it paid into a Spanish bank account, Russian media said at the time.

But he was pardoned in 2010 by then-President Dmitry Medvedev as part of a swap to bring 10 Russian agents held in the United States back to Moscow.

SPY SWAP

The swap, one of the biggest since the Cold War ended in 1991, took place on the tarmac of Vienna airport where a Russian and a US jet parked side by side before the agents were exchanged.

One of the Russian spies exchanged for Skripal was Anna Chapman. She was one of 10 who tried to blend in to American society in an apparent bid to get close to power brokers and learn secrets. They were arrested by the FBI in 2010.

The returning Russian spies were greeted as heroes in Moscow. Putin, himself a former KGB officer who served in what was then East Germany, sang patriotic songs with them.

Skripal, though, was cast as a traitor by Moscow. He is thought to have done serious damage to Russian spy networks in Britain and Europe.

The GRU spy service, created in 1918 under revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky, is controlled by the military general staff and reports directly to the president. It has spies spread across the world.

Since emerging from the John le Carre world of high espionage and betrayal, Skripal lived modestly in Salisbury and kept out of the spotlight until he was found unconscious on Sunday.

The Sun newspaper said his wife was killed in a car accident shortly after her arrival in Britain. His son was killed in a car accident in Russia.

&quot;On the bench there was a couple, an older guy and a younger girl. She was sort of leant-in on him. It looked like she&#39;d passed out maybe. He was doing some strange hand movements, looking up to the sky,&quot; witness Freya Church told the BBC.

&quot;They looked so out of it that I thought even if I did step in I wasn&#39;t sure how I could help, so I just left them. But it looked like they&#39;d been taking something quite strong.&quot;

A white and yellow police forensics tent covered the bench where he was taken ill.

Both were critically ill in intensive care.

British police raced on Tuesday to identify the substance suspected of striking down a former Russian double agent convicted of treason in Moscow for betraying dozens of spies to British intelligence. Britain's top counter-terrorism officer, Mark Rowley, said investigators needed to be "alive to the fact of state threats" after Sergei Skripal, once a colonel in Russia's GRU military intelligence service, was taken ill. The 66-year-old former spy and his 33-year-old daughter, Yulia, were found on Sunday unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in the English city of Salisbury after exposure to what police said was an unknown substance. Both were critically ill in intensive care. Skripal, who passed the identity of dozens of spies to the MI6 foreign intelligence agency, was given refuge in Britain after he was exchanged in 2010 for Russian spies caught in the West as part of a Cold War-style spy swap at Vienna airport. While the British authorities said there was no known risk to the public, police sealed off the area where the former spy was found and a pizza restaurant called Zizzi in the centre of Salisbury. Some investigators wore yellow chemical suits. "We're speaking to witnesses, we're taking forensic samples at the scene, we're doing toxicology work and that will help us to get to an answer," Rowley told BBC radio. He said counter-terrorism police were assisting the investigation. "We have to remember: Russian exiles aren't immortal, they do all die and there can be a tendency to conspiracy theories. But likewise we have to be alive to the fact of state threats," he said, pointing to the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. A British inquiry said President Vladimir Putin probably approved the 2006 murder of ex-KGB agent Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210 in London. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killing of Litvinenko. Litvinenko, 43, an outspoken critic of Putin who fled Russia for Britain six years before he was poisoned, died after drinking green tea laced with the rare and very potent radioactive isotope at London’s Millennium Hotel. It took some time for British doctors to discern the cause of Litvinenko's illness. British police did not release the names of those who were being treated but two sources close to the investigation told Reuters that the critically ill man was Skripal. It was unclear what the substance was, they said. The BBC, which first reported Skripal's name, said his daughter Yulia was the 33-year-old woman found beside him. The Kremlin said it was ready to cooperate if Britain asks it for help investigating the incident with Skripal. "Nobody has approached us with such a request," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with reporters when asked if the British authorities had been in touch seeking help. "Moscow is always open for cooperation." Calling it a "tragic situation," Peskov said the Kremlin did not have information about the incident. RUSSIAN SPY Asked to respond to British media speculation that Russia had poisoned Skripal, Peskov said: "It didn't take them long." Skripal was arrested in 2004 by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of betraying dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006 after a secret trial. Skripal, who was at the time shown wearing a track suit in a cage in court during the sentencing, had admitted betraying agents to MI6 in return for money, some of it paid into a Spanish bank account, Russian media said at the time. But he was pardoned in 2010 by then-President Dmitry Medvedev as part of a swap to bring 10 Russian agents held in the United States back to Moscow. SPY SWAP The swap, one of the biggest since the Cold War ended in 1991, took place on the tarmac of Vienna airport where a Russian and a US jet parked side by side before the agents were exchanged. One of the Russian spies exchanged for Skripal was Anna Chapman. She was one of 10 who tried to blend in to American society in an apparent bid to get close to power brokers and learn secrets. They were arrested by the FBI in 2010. The returning Russian spies were greeted as heroes in Moscow. Putin, himself a former KGB officer who served in what was then East Germany, sang patriotic songs with them. Skripal, though, was cast as a traitor by Moscow. He is thought to have done serious damage to Russian spy networks in Britain and Europe. The GRU spy service, created in 1918 under revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky, is controlled by the military general staff and reports directly to the president. It has spies spread across the world. Since emerging from the John le Carre world of high espionage and betrayal, Skripal lived modestly in Salisbury and kept out of the spotlight until he was found unconscious on Sunday. The Sun newspaper said his wife was killed in a car accident shortly after her arrival in Britain. His son was killed in a car accident in Russia. "On the bench there was a couple, an older guy and a younger girl. She was sort of leant-in on him. It looked like she'd passed out maybe. He was doing some strange hand movements, looking up to the sky," witness Freya Church told the BBC. "They looked so out of it that I thought even if I did step in I wasn't sure how I could help, so I just left them. But it looked like they'd been taking something quite strong." A white and yellow police forensics tent covered the bench where he was taken ill.

Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, daughter ill after exposure to 'unidentified substance' in Britain

Britain threatened on Tuesday to pull out of the soccer World Cup in Russia if Moscow was shown to be behind the mysterious illness that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-russian-spy-sergei-skripal-daughter-ill-after-exposure-to-unidentified-substance-in-britain-34897" target="_blank">struck down</a> a Russian former double agent convicted of betraying dozens of spies to British intelligence.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson named Sergei Skripal, once a colonel in Russia&#39;s GRU military intelligence service, and his daughter, Yulia, as the two people who were found unconscious on Sunday on a bench outside a shopping centre in southern England.

Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter were exposed to what police said was an unknown substance in the English city of Salisbury. Both are still critically ill in intensive care.

&quot;We don&#39;t know exactly what has taken place in Salisbury, but if it&#39;s as bad as it looks, it is another crime in the litany of crimes that we can lay at Russia&#39;s door,&quot; Johnson told the British parliament.

&quot;It is clear that Russia, I&#39;m afraid, is now in many respects a malign and disruptive force, and the UK is in the lead across the world in trying to counteract that activity.&quot;

If Moscow was shown to be behind Skripal&#39;s illness, Johnson said, it would be difficult to see how Britain could attend the World Cup in Russia in June and July.

England is the only British national team to have qualified for the tournament, which is held every four years.

A previous British inquiry said President Vladimir Putin probably approved the 2006 murder of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210 in London. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in Litvinenko&#39;s killing.

Litvinenko, 43, an outspoken critic of Putin who fled Russia for Britain six years before he was poisoned, died after drinking green tea laced with the rare and very potent radioactive isotope at London&rsquo;s Millennium Hotel.

It took some time for British doctors to discern the cause of Litvinenko&#39;s illness.

His murder sent Britain&#39;s relations with Russia to what was then a post-Cold War low. Relations suffered further from Russia&#39;s annexation of Crimea and military backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against rebels trying to topple him.

&nbsp;

RUSSIAN DOUBLE AGENT

While the British authorities said there was no known risk to the public from the unidentified substance, they sealed off the area where Skripal was found, a pizza restaurant called Zizzi and the Bishop&#39;s Mill pub in the centre of Salisbury.

Some investigators at one point wore yellow chemical suits, though most police at the scene did not.

Skripal, who passed the identity of dozens of spies to the MI6 foreign intelligence agency, was given refuge in Britain after he was exchanged in 2010 for Russian spies caught in the West as part of a Cold War-style spy swap at Vienna airport.

The Kremlin said it was ready to cooperate if Britain asked it for help investigating the incident with Skripal.

Calling it a &quot;tragic situation,&quot; Putin&#39;s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin had no information about the incident.

Asked to respond to British media speculation that Russia had poisoned Skripal, Peskov said: &quot;It didn&#39;t take them long.&quot;

Russia&#39;s embassy in London said the incident was being used to demonise Russia and that it was seriously concerned by British media reporting of the Skripal incident.

Russia&rsquo;s foreign spy service, known as the SVR, said it had no comment to make. Russia&rsquo;s foreign ministry, and the Russian counter-intelligence service, the FSB, did not immediately respond to questions submitted by Reuters about the case.

&nbsp;

FROM MOSCOW TO SALISBURY

Skripal was arrested in 2004 by Russia&#39;s Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of betraying dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006 after a secret trial.

Skripal, who was shown wearing a track suit in a cage in court during the sentencing, had admitted betraying agents to MI6 in return for money, some of it paid into a Spanish bank account, Russian media said at the time.

But he was pardoned in 2010 by then-President Dmitry Medvedev as part of a swap to bring 10 Russian agents held in the United States back to Moscow.

The swap, one of the biggest since the Cold War ended in 1991, took place on the tarmac of Vienna airport where a Russian and a U.S. jet parked side by side before the agents were exchanged.

One of the Russian spies exchanged for Skripal was Anna Chapman. She was one of 10 who tried to blend into American society in an apparent bid to get close to power brokers and learn secrets. They were arrested by the FBI in 2010.

The returning spies were greeted as heroes in Moscow. Putin, himself a former KGB officer, sang patriotic songs with them.

Skripal, though, was cast as a traitor by Moscow. He is thought to have done serious damage to Russian spy networks in Britain and Europe.

The GRU spy service, created in 1918 under revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky, is controlled by the military general staff and reports directly to the president. It has spies spread across the world.

Since emerging from the John le Carre world of high espionage and betrayal, Skripal lived modestly in Salisbury and kept out of the spotlight until he was found unconscious on Sunday at 1615 GMT.

Wiltshire police said a small number of emergency services personnel were examined immediately after the incident and all but one had been released from hospital.

Skripal&#39;s wife died shortly after her arrival in Britain from &quot;disseminated endometrial carcinoma,&quot; the Guardian newspaper reported. His son died on a recent visit to Russia.

A white and yellow police forensics tent covered the bench where Skripal was taken ill.

The World Cup this year is being held in Russia

Britain threatened on Tuesday to pull out of the soccer World Cup in Russia if Moscow was shown to be behind the mysterious illness that struck down a Russian former double agent convicted of betraying dozens of spies to British intelligence. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson named Sergei Skripal, once a colonel in Russia's GRU military intelligence service, and his daughter, Yulia, as the two people who were found unconscious on Sunday on a bench outside a shopping centre in southern England. Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter were exposed to what police said was an unknown substance in the English city of Salisbury. Both are still critically ill in intensive care. "We don't know exactly what has taken place in Salisbury, but if it's as bad as it looks, it is another crime in the litany of crimes that we can lay at Russia's door," Johnson told the British parliament. "It is clear that Russia, I'm afraid, is now in many respects a malign and disruptive force, and the UK is in the lead across the world in trying to counteract that activity." If Moscow was shown to be behind Skripal's illness, Johnson said, it would be difficult to see how Britain could attend the World Cup in Russia in June and July. England is the only British national team to have qualified for the tournament, which is held every four years. A previous British inquiry said President Vladimir Putin probably approved the 2006 murder of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210 in London. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in Litvinenko's killing. Litvinenko, 43, an outspoken critic of Putin who fled Russia for Britain six years before he was poisoned, died after drinking green tea laced with the rare and very potent radioactive isotope at London’s Millennium Hotel. It took some time for British doctors to discern the cause of Litvinenko's illness. His murder sent Britain's relations with Russia to what was then a post-Cold War low. Relations suffered further from Russia's annexation of Crimea and military backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against rebels trying to topple him. RUSSIAN DOUBLE AGENT While the British authorities said there was no known risk to the public from the unidentified substance, they sealed off the area where Skripal was found, a pizza restaurant called Zizzi and the Bishop's Mill pub in the centre of Salisbury. Some investigators at one point wore yellow chemical suits, though most police at the scene did not. Skripal, who passed the identity of dozens of spies to the MI6 foreign intelligence agency, was given refuge in Britain after he was exchanged in 2010 for Russian spies caught in the West as part of a Cold War-style spy swap at Vienna airport. The Kremlin said it was ready to cooperate if Britain asked it for help investigating the incident with Skripal. Calling it a "tragic situation," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin had no information about the incident. Asked to respond to British media speculation that Russia had poisoned Skripal, Peskov said: "It didn't take them long." Russia's embassy in London said the incident was being used to demonise Russia and that it was seriously concerned by British media reporting of the Skripal incident. Russia’s foreign spy service, known as the SVR, said it had no comment to make. Russia’s foreign ministry, and the Russian counter-intelligence service, the FSB, did not immediately respond to questions submitted by Reuters about the case. FROM MOSCOW TO SALISBURY Skripal was arrested in 2004 by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of betraying dozens of Russian agents to British intelligence. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2006 after a secret trial. Skripal, who was shown wearing a track suit in a cage in court during the sentencing, had admitted betraying agents to MI6 in return for money, some of it paid into a Spanish bank account, Russian media said at the time. But he was pardoned in 2010 by then-President Dmitry Medvedev as part of a swap to bring 10 Russian agents held in the United States back to Moscow. The swap, one of the biggest since the Cold War ended in 1991, took place on the tarmac of Vienna airport where a Russian and a U.S. jet parked side by side before the agents were exchanged. One of the Russian spies exchanged for Skripal was Anna Chapman. She was one of 10 who tried to blend into American society in an apparent bid to get close to power brokers and learn secrets. They were arrested by the FBI in 2010. The returning spies were greeted as heroes in Moscow. Putin, himself a former KGB officer, sang patriotic songs with them. Skripal, though, was cast as a traitor by Moscow. He is thought to have done serious damage to Russian spy networks in Britain and Europe. The GRU spy service, created in 1918 under revolutionary leader Leon Trotsky, is controlled by the military general staff and reports directly to the president. It has spies spread across the world. Since emerging from the John le Carre world of high espionage and betrayal, Skripal lived modestly in Salisbury and kept out of the spotlight until he was found unconscious on Sunday at 1615 GMT. Wiltshire police said a small number of emergency services personnel were examined immediately after the incident and all but one had been released from hospital. Skripal's wife died shortly after her arrival in Britain from "disseminated endometrial carcinoma," the Guardian newspaper reported. His son died on a recent visit to Russia. A white and yellow police forensics tent covered the bench where Skripal was taken ill.

England threatens to pull out of Football World Cup if Russia behind spy's mysterious illness

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