23 Russian diplomats to be expelled over poison case - Theresa May UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced a series of measures against Moscow including the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats. We have no disagreement with the people of Russia... It is tragic that President Putin has chosen to act in this way -Theresa May- British Prime Minister Her statement to Parliament came after the UK's deadline for Moscow to explain how a Russian nerve agent was used on British soil expired. She set the Tuesday midnight ultimatum saying it was "highly likely" Russia was behind the attack. May's statement on steps against Russia - the main points: •The UK concluded it was highly likely Russia was responsible for the poison attack. Either it was a direct attack against Britain or it had lost control of a military grade nerve agent •Moscow's reponse demonstrated complete disdain for the gravity of events. It acted with sarcasm, contempt and defiance •Russian state guilty of attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, and threatening the lives of UK citizens including Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey (the policeman affected) •Unlawful use of force by Russia against the UK follows a well-established pattern of aggression •UK must come together with allies to defend security, stand up for values and send a clear message •UK is expelling 23 Russian diplomats believed to be undeclared intelligence officers. They have one week to leave - the biggest single expulsion for 30 years Russian intelligence activity will thus be downgraded •UK will urgently develop proposals for new legal powers against hostile state activity To include the power to detain suspects at UK borders (currently possible only regarding terrorism) •UK will seek new powers to impose sanctions in response to human rights abuses Checks to be increased on private flights, customs and freight Russian state assets to be frozen if they are proven to threaten the life or property of UK citizens With National Crime Agency government will continue to act against serious criminals and corrupt elites Not in UK's interest to break off all dialogue but relationship with Russia can't be the same High level bilateral contacts to be suspended; invitation to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to be withdrawn; no ministers or Royal Family members will attend football World Cup in Russia Earlier on Wednesday, a government source said Russia's ambassador had been summoned to the Foreign Office, Reuters reported. Britain has called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council to update members on the investigation, the Foreign Office said. It has posted a video on Twitter listing cases of alleged Russian aggression over the past decade. Meanwhile forensic teams continue to collect evidence in Salisbury, the site of last week's attack on former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

The use of a nerve agent in Salisbury follows a well-established pattern of Russian state aggression pic.twitter.com/eY4Vy1pw9t

— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) March 14, 2018
Russia denies charge Russia's foreign minister has said no progress has been made towards resolving a standoff with London. Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia would be ready to provide Britain with a response within 10 days if London submitted an official request, in line with the Chemical Weapons Convention. "Instead of submitting such a request, Britain has continued to stage a political performance," he said, rejecting British claims that only Russia had a motive to target Skripal. In a series of earlier tweets, Russia's UK embassy rubbished the charge and said it would not cooperate unless the UK provided a sample of the toxin.

1/7 UK Ambassador Laurence Bristow was summoned to @MFA_Russia, where First Deputy FM Vladimir Titov strongly protested the evidence-free accusations by the UK authorities of Russia’s alleged involvement in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. pic.twitter.com/wQvl2AwLJI

— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) March 13, 2018

6/7 Any threat to take “punitive” measures against Russia will meet with a response. The British side should be aware of that. pic.twitter.com/DFAaB5orQE

— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) March 13, 2018
International support May has been the gathering the support of international allies for the UK government's action against Russia. She said she had spoken to President Trump, Chancellor Merkel and President Macron in the past 24 hours. After a phone call with May before her statement to Parliament, President Trump said "the US was with the UK all the way."

The Russian attack on Britain must be discussed by EU leaders at the summit next week. We need a common European response to this outrage #Skripal #EUCO #EPlenary pic.twitter.com/XfvEnQtzIQ

— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) March 13, 2018
SOURCE: euronews ---DECRYPTED---