ADVERTISEMENT

Britain alleges Russian 'tactic' after request for meeting over poisoning

The fresh recriminations came after the Russian Embassy in Britain branded its interactions with the foreign office "utterly unsatisfactory" and said it was "high time" Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko met Johnson to discuss the probe into the poisoning.

"It's Russia's response that has been unsatisfactory," a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement, adding it would respond to the request "in due course".

"It's over three weeks since we asked Russia to engage constructively and answer a number of questions relating to the attempted assassinations of Mr Skripal and his daughter.

"Now, after failing in their attempts in the UN and international chemical weapons watchdog this week and with the victims' condition improving, they seem to be pursuing a different diversionary tactic."

ADVERTISEMENT

Relations between London and Moscow have plumbed new depths following the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on March 4.

The conditions of the Skripals has continued to improve this week, with the ex-spy no longer in critical condition, the hospital treating him said, and his daughter stating her strength was "growing daily".

Britain and its Western allies have blamed the attack on Moscow, accusing it of targeting the pair with a Soviet-made military-grade nerve agent, known as Novichok.

Russia has vehemently denied any involvement.

The Russian Embassy in London said earlier Saturday Yakovenko had sent a "personal note" to Johnson asking for the meeting.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We hope that the British side will engage constructively and that such (a) meeting is arranged shortly," a spokesperson added.

War of words

The overture comes days after Russia unleashed a blistering war of words against Britain at the UN Security Council over the poisoning, warning it was "playing with fire" and would "be sorry".

Moscow had failed Wednesday in a bid to join a probe into the incident by global chemical watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The crisis has led to the biggest wave of tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats in recent memory.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Thursday, some 60 American diplomats who were ordered to leave flew out of Moscow, while a day later the US unveiled new sanctions against seven of the country's most influential oligarchs.

Russia promised a "tough response".

A meeting between Johnson and Yakovenko would bring together two of the most vocal players in the drama.

The ambassador held a 90-minute press conference this week in which he denied Russia had ever produced novichok and suggested Britain may be behind the poisoning.

And last month he wrote to a UK policeman hospitalised after exposure to the nerve agent used in Salisbury, insisting on Moscow's innocence and thanking him for his bravery.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile Johnson, in one of many public comments on the case, agreed last month with a British lawmaker's assertion that President Vladimir Putin would exploit the 2018 football World Cup in Russia as Adolf Hitler did the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The charge prompted an angry response from the Kremlin, which branded the comments "disgusting".

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Woman saves animal from the streets — then she finds out it is something else

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Alake calls on Badaru to fish out illegal miners, violators of mining laws

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

Divers find bodies of 2 people who drowned after Baltimore bridge collapsed

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

INEC rejects LP's National convention in Anambra, questions venue change

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

8 people including professor declared wanted over killing of 17 soldiers

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

INEC to publish credentials of 17 Edo governorship candidates on Saturday

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT