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| Russian spy: Moscow 'will expel British diplomats soon' | Russian spy: Moscow 'will expel British diplomats soon' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Russia will expel UK diplomats "soon", its foreign minister has said, in response to the expulsion of 23 of its diplomats by Britain. | |
| Sergei Lavrov told Russian media the expulsions would "definitely" happen. | Sergei Lavrov told Russian media the expulsions would "definitely" happen. |
| The UK took its action after Moscow refused to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the UK. | The UK took its action after Moscow refused to explain how a Russian-made nerve agent was used on a former spy and his daughter in the UK. |
| Russia denies it was involved. Its foreign ministry called the allegations by PM Theresa May "insane". | |
| Russia described the UK's position as irresponsible and not backed up by evidence. | |
| When asked when the expulsions would happen, Mr Lavrov was quoted as saying: "Absolutely. Soon. I promise you that." | When asked when the expulsions would happen, Mr Lavrov was quoted as saying: "Absolutely. Soon. I promise you that." |
| He reportedly referred to the UK allegations against Russia as "absolutely boorish". | He reportedly referred to the UK allegations against Russia as "absolutely boorish". |
| Mr Lavrov also said the UK's approach to the matter was partly prompted by the government's problems over Brexit. | Mr Lavrov also said the UK's approach to the matter was partly prompted by the government's problems over Brexit. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The chemical used in the attack has been identified part of a group of nerve agents developed by Russia known as Novichok, Mrs May said. | The chemical used in the attack has been identified part of a group of nerve agents developed by Russia known as Novichok, Mrs May said. |
| The PM said there was "no alternative conclusion" than to believe Russia was "culpable" for the poisonings. | |
| UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson stepped up the war of words with Russia on Thursday. | |
| He said the attack was Russia's "way of saying to people this is what happens to people who stand up to our regime". | |
| Mr Johnson said: "Now is the moment for [President Vladimir] Putin to jam the lid down and send a signal to people: 'You do this, you're going to die.'" | |
| On Wednesday, the White House said it "stands in solidarity" with "its closest ally" the UK and supported its decision to expel the Russian diplomats. | On Wednesday, the White House said it "stands in solidarity" with "its closest ally" the UK and supported its decision to expel the Russian diplomats. |
| President Donald Trump's spokeswoman accused Russia of undermining the security of countries worldwide. | President Donald Trump's spokeswoman accused Russia of undermining the security of countries worldwide. |