US Threatens 'Taking Action' Against Russia Over Ex-Spy Case

TEHRAN (defapress)- US Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert said during a press briefing on Tuesday that Washington may take action against Moscow over the former spy Sergei Skripal case and supports the British government’s decision to expel Russian diplomats.

News ID: 69309

Date: 21 March 2018 - 14:55

"We understand and support what the British government has chosen to do in terms of kicking out Russian diplomats from its country," Nauert stated, Sputnik reported.

"We’re not going to preview some of our activities, but we are watching closely and we may be taking action," she added.

Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench at a shopping center in Salisbury in early March. London claimed that the chemical used to poison them was made in Russia, without providing any proof, while, Moscow has vehemently denied its alleged involvement in the incident. The former GRU colonel was tried in Russia for passing critical information to UK’s MI6.

British Prime Minister Theresa May accused Russia of "an unlawful use of force" against her country. Subsequently, she announced that London would expel 23 Russian diplomats and would suspend high-level bilateral contacts.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that 23 British diplomats had been declared personae non grata to be expelled from Russia in a week’s period.

It also said the UK’s consulate general in St. Petersburg would be closed and the British Council would stop its activities.

Apart from that, according to the Ministry, the Russian side reserved the right to take other measures "should further unfriendly steps are taken against Russia".

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that London will sooner or later have to either provide evidence for its allegations against Moscow in the incident with the poisoning of former Russian spy or apologize.