UK Prime Minister Theresa May has imposed new sanctions on Russia and expelled 23 Russian diplomats from the country after accusing it of poisoning a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain. Russia has called this action inappropriate.
In a statement, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said that Russia has not made its stand clear in this matter within the timeline given by Britain, hence Britain has taken this decision.
On March 4, 2018, Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in Britain by a Soviet-designed nerve agent ‘Novichok’. Both Skripal and his daughter are still in the hospital and are reportedly in dire condition. The UK has accused Russia of chemical attack. While Britain is trying to increase pressure on Russia in this matter with fellow countries, Russia has also made it clear that it will respond to any action that is going on against it.
Before this incident, former FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned by hired Russian assassins in 2015 with a radioactive isotope Polonium-210. There are allegations that the assassination itself took place at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the Russian government has always denied it. Putin’s bitter critic Litvinenko was living in London.
In November 2012, 44-year-old Russian citizen Alexander Perepilichny was found dead in a luxurious house in Britain. He had helped Swiss prosecutors investigate Russian money laundering after which he had to flee from Russia. Doubts suspected of murder even after his sudden death. But Russia also denied having its hand in it.
The Prime Minister said that all high-level contacts between Britain and Russia will be suspended. The expelled diplomats have been given a week’s time to leave the country.
Theresa May described it as the biggest expulsion in the last 30 years. At the same time, it has been said that the government property of Russia will be seized in Britain. She also confirmed that no UK dignitary will be a part of the FIFA World Cup which will be held in Russia this year.