The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:40 PM
LARGEST SUCH EXPULSION SINCE OLD WAR - UK Expels 23 Russian Diplomats From UK Following Suspicious Nerve Agent Attack On Former Spy, Daughter
In response Moscow said a retaliation by the Kremlin would follow shortly.
"The British government made a choice for confrontation with Russia," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
May made the announcement hours after Moscow ignored a midnight deadline to explain how the military-grade nerve agent, which was developed by the former Soviet Union, came to be used against ex-spy Sergei Skirpal and his daughter, Yulia.
“All who have been identified as declared intelligence officers: they have just one week to leave,” May said. “This will be the single biggest expulsion for over 30 years and it will reflect the fact that this is not the first time the Russian state has acted against our country.”
Sky News
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@SkyNews
Russian response has demonstrated "complete disdain" for gravity of events in #Salisbury and they have provided "no credible explanation" says @Theresa_May
Additionally, May said no British officials or members of the Royal family will attend this summer’s World Cup in Russia. She also announced a range of economic and diplomatic measures, including a decision to cancel all high-level bilateral contacts with Russia.
“[Russia’s response to the deadline] has shown complete disdain for the gravity of these events,” May said, adding the Kremlin has offered “no credible explanation” for how the Russian-made Novichok nerve agent was used in the attack.
“This represents an unlawful use of force against the United Kingdom,” she said, noting Russian officials have treated the incident with “sarcasm, contempt and defiance.
Sky News
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@SkyNews
Exclusive: Russian Ambassador to the UK says the British Government response to #Salisbury is "absolutely unacceptable and we consider this a provocation"
“It must be met with a full and robust response," May said.
An invitation for Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit Britain has been canceled.
May also said Britain would clamp down on murky Russian money and strengthen its powers to impose sanctions on abusers of human rights.
Fox News contributor Nigel Farage gives his take on the latest revelations.Video
Ex-Russian spy targeted in nerve agent attack
"We will freeze Russian state assets wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of U.K. nationals or residents," May said, without giving details.
May said that while many Russians who have made the United Kingdom their home and abide by the laws, “those who seek to do us harm, my message is simple; you are not welcome here.”
The Russian ambassador in the U.K. warned to expect a retaliation for the expulsion of the country’s diplomats.
Alexander Vladimirovich Yakovenko told Sky News the United Kingdom’s actions are “unacceptable” and Moscow considers them a “provocation.”
“This is a really serious provocation,” he said.
Moscow has refused to comply with Britain's demands unless the government provided samples of the poison collected by investigators.
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday that Russia "rejects the language of ultimatums."
Skripal and his daughter remain in critical condition in a hospital in Salisbury, southwestern England more than a week after they were found collapsed on a bench.
European Council President Donald Tusk said Wednesday the attack was "most likely" inspired by Moscow and announced he would put the issue on the agenda at an EU leaders' summit next week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Lucia I. Suarez Sang is a Reporter for FoxNews.com. Follow her on Twitter @luciasuarezsang