World weighs response to alleged Russian attack in UK: ‘Despicable,’ PM says
WASHINGTON — Western countries weighed punitive actions against Russia following a chemical attack in England, which has heightened international tensions with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau describing the act as despicable Wednesday.
His comments came as the United Kingdom expelled 23 Russian diplomats believed to be involved in espionage, cancelled an invitation to Russia’s foreign minister, announced the royals would not attend this summer’s World Cup in Russia and promised other secret retaliation.
The Russian government responded by angrily accusing western countries of besmirching its reputation with unproven allegations of its role in a poisoning plot.
The Russians are accused of using a nerve agent to try killing former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, with wider-ranging effects on a number of British citizens who happened to be in the area.