Britain expels 23 Russian diplomats over spy poisoning
Arirang News
2018-03-15
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British and Russian ties have plunged to a level not seen since the Cold War... as British Prime Minister Theresa May announced a slew of measures against Moscow after the poisoning of a former Russian spy.
Ro Aram reports...
British Prime Minister Theresa May had warned of punitive measures if Moscow did not explain how a Soviet-era nerve agent was used to poison a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Salisbury.
Russia was given until Tuesday midnight, UK time to respond, but it refused.
This sparked May to act, and she told parliament on Wednesday that London will expel 23 Russian diplomats.
"...Under the Vienna Convention, the United Kingdom will now expel 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers. They have just one week to leave. This will be the single biggest expulsion for over 30 years and it reflects the fact that this is not the first time that the Russian state has acted against our country"
She didn't end there, as she announced more measures against Russia, while painting a gloomy picture for British-Russian ties.
"But in the aftermath of this appalling act against our country, this relationship cannot be the same. So, we will suspend all planned high-level bilateral contacts between the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation. This includes revoking the invitation to Foreign Minister Lavrov to pay a reciprocal visit to the UK and confirming there will be no attendance by ministers or indeed members of the royal family at this summer's World Cup in Russia."
Russia has repeatedly denied involvement and Moscow's foreign ministry said it would swiftly retaliate against the British measures.
It said they had been undertaken for what it called "short-sighted political ends".
At the UN Security Council, the Russian ambassador to the UN again denied Russian involvement and demanded that the UK provide material proof in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, many of Britain's allies have shown their support for London, with the EU, and the U.S., among others, expressing solidarity.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.
Ro Aram reports...
British Prime Minister Theresa May had warned of punitive measures if Moscow did not explain how a Soviet-era nerve agent was used to poison a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Salisbury.
Russia was given until Tuesday midnight, UK time to respond, but it refused.
This sparked May to act, and she told parliament on Wednesday that London will expel 23 Russian diplomats.
"...Under the Vienna Convention, the United Kingdom will now expel 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers. They have just one week to leave. This will be the single biggest expulsion for over 30 years and it reflects the fact that this is not the first time that the Russian state has acted against our country"
She didn't end there, as she announced more measures against Russia, while painting a gloomy picture for British-Russian ties.
"But in the aftermath of this appalling act against our country, this relationship cannot be the same. So, we will suspend all planned high-level bilateral contacts between the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation. This includes revoking the invitation to Foreign Minister Lavrov to pay a reciprocal visit to the UK and confirming there will be no attendance by ministers or indeed members of the royal family at this summer's World Cup in Russia."
Russia has repeatedly denied involvement and Moscow's foreign ministry said it would swiftly retaliate against the British measures.
It said they had been undertaken for what it called "short-sighted political ends".
At the UN Security Council, the Russian ambassador to the UN again denied Russian involvement and demanded that the UK provide material proof in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, many of Britain's allies have shown their support for London, with the EU, and the U.S., among others, expressing solidarity.
Ro Aram, Arirang News.
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