The White house in a statement has expressed its solidarity with the decision of the United Kingdom to expel 23 Russian diplomats.BBC’s North American editor Jon Sopel said the White House statement was notable in the unqualified support it offers Theresa May.
He said it was also significant because of the way President Trump was prepared to talk about Russia – using language not been heard from the White House before.
In the statement, Mr Trump’s press secretary Sarah Sanders said the US wanted to ensure “this kind of abhorrent attack does not happen again”.
She described the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Britain as “a just response”.
“This latest action by Russia fits into a pattern of behaviour in which Russia disregards the international rules-based order, undermines the sovereignty and security of countries worldwide, and attempts to subvert and discredit Western democratic institutions and processes,” she said.
Former spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, 33, remain critically ill in hospital after being found slumped on a bench in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 4 March.
Mrs May said the chemical used in the attack had been identified as being part of a group of nerve agents developed by Russia known as Novichok.
She said there was “no alternative conclusion” than to believe Russia was “culpable” for the poisonings.
The White House statement echoed earlier comments made by the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, who cited the “special relationship” between the two countries and said the US would “always be there” for the UK.
Also addressing the UN Security Council, Britain’s deputy UN ambassador, Jonathan Allen accused Russia of breaking its obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
In response, the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, denied Moscow’s involvement in the attack and demanded “material proof” from Britain to support its charge. – BBC
