French President Emmanuel Macron and German leader Angela Merkel said Friday following a meeting of the European Council that UK Prime Minister Theresa May had shared "proof" of Russia's involvement in the assassination attempt against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, the two leaders said during a joint press conference in Brussels on the sidelines of a meeting of the European Council.
But although the evidence was purportedly convincing - and all three leaders are in agreement that Russia was the only reasonable culprit, and that they would help support an investigation into the matter - the EC opted not to take any immediate action against Moscow, TASS reported.
In a statement, the EC said it "agrees with the United Kingdom government's assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible and that there is no plausible alternative explanation."
"The European Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent attack in Salisbury, expresses its deepest sympathies to all whose lives have been threatened and lends its support to the ongoing investigation."
"The use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons under any circumstances, is completely unacceptable, must be systematically and rigorously condemned and constitutes a security threat to us all. Member States will coordinate on the consequences to be drawn in the light of the answers provided by the Russian authorities. The European Union will remain closely focused on this issue and its implications," the document said.
As a sop to the Russia hawks, the gathering of EU leaders agreed to bolster cooperation with NATO to strengthen its resilience to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear-related risks, and hybrid threats, including in the areas of cyber, strategic communication and counter-intelligence.
The European Council invited the European Commission and the High Representative to take this work forward and report on progress by the June European Council.
After arriving Thursday in Brussels, May told reporters and her fellow European leaders "it is clear that the Russian threat does not respect borders and indeed the incident is Salisbury was part of a pattern of Russian aggression against Europe and its near neighbors from the western Balkans to the Near East."
During a joint press conference, Merkel and Macron said they'd been given evidence by the UK to support its claims. Merkel said the reports were "well grounded," RT reported.
"[UK Prime Minister] Theresa May has provided us with some results [of the investigation]," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Brussels on Friday. She added that the two countries will follow the British probe into the poisoning of the former Russia-UK double agent "closely" and are "convinced" that the conclusions that were made by the investigators so far are "already well-grounded."
Meanwhile, Macron said "there is no… plausible explanation" to the Salisbury incident other than Russia being behind the attack. He added that "all EU member states agree" on that allegation.
* * *
During a separate meeting earlier this week, EU foreign ministers expressed solidarity with the UK, but also declined to take any further action against Moscow - although there was disagreement between nations.
German foreign minister called Russia "a difficult partner" but also noted that "dialogue" with Moscow ought to continue. London and Moscow should sift through the evidence "bilaterally" Maas said. Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl argued the accusations against Russia were premature, and refused to back London, per Strategic Culture.
Spain’s Alfonso Dastis stressed the need for more evidence before reaching conclusions. He believes the EU should wait until the OPCW conducts a thorough examination of all elements involved.
At the same time, representatives from Warsaw - who have recently proven eager to attack Moscow given even the thinnest of pretexts - expressed solidarity with London.
Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter have been in critical condition since the March 4 attack, when they were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping center in Salisbury. Skripal had worked as a double agent for the UK intelligence agency MI6 and was jailed in Russia in 2006 for spying for Britain. He was later freed as part of a spy swap in which Russia released four spies in exchange for 10 Russian agents.
Russia has repeatedly denied its involvement and rejected UK demands to issue an explanation for how the Soviet-era nerve agent - known as Novichok - made its way to London.
However, the EU did agree to withdraw its ambassador to Moscow, saying the envoy will return to Brussels "for consultations" as several member states ponder whether to follow the UK's lead and expel their diplomats. The UK expelled 23 Russian diplomats in response to the attack, prompting a proportional response from Moscow.
Ireland, Denmark, Lithuania and the Czech Republic are also considering further measures, including the expulsion of diplomats, CNN reported.
Comments
Doesn't seem very convincing to the rest of the sane world.
The flailings of (((desperation))), as dreams of endless war against the (((hated))) Russians are washed away by the rising tide of an awakened humanity...
In reply to Doesn't seem very convincing… by Erek
Aww… Macron the Warrior!
Just earlier today, Macron was ready to sign France’s Unconditional Surrender to the Supermarket Shooter. ;-)
Looney (Vive la Frog Legs!)
In reply to The flailings of ((… by HopefulCynical
MoA has been one of the best on this topic:
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2018/03/russian-scientists-explain-novicho…
***Of note...read the comments exchange between user Old Microbiologist & Paveway IV (starting with comment 108)***
Also two days ago Craig Murray's website was hit by an unprecedented DDOS attacks:
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/03/massive-attack-on-this-…
Radio interview with Craig Murray about Skirpal attack:
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/03/craig-murray-radio-5-in…
In reply to … by Looney
I heard Russia was going to invade Sweden too. Because apparently Russia needs hundreds of thousands of muslim refugees looking for free shit. In any event, it's all Russia's fault. Russia Russia Russia
http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/sweden-to-publish-leaflets-warning-…
In reply to MoA has been one of the best… by JSBach1
http://www.ibtimes.com/moscow-largest-muslim-city-europe-faithful-face-…
In reply to I heard Russia was going to… by sixsigma cygnu…
Islam is a theocracy, not a religion. A religion exists solely between the worshiper and his God, and no one else. The goal of a theocracy is to overtake the local government.
See: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Saudi Arabia, London, etc.
In reply to http://www.ibtimes.com… by falconflight
Wise up people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/21/world/europe/moscow-kremlin-silence-…
https://www.thedailybeast.com/exclusive-lone-dnc-hacker-guccifer-20-sli…
In reply to Islam is a theocracy, not a… by sixsigma cygnu…
Well, since you've quoted the NYTs it must be true! Seriously?
In reply to Wise up people… by IH8OBAMA
A crazy old bat and a weird boy toy who cannot manage their own nations now think they know what happened between England and Russia.
They should clean up their own fractured societies before lecturing anyone else.
In reply to Well, since you've quoted… by SoilMyselfRotten
Why do you say "local government?" Islam is a political, religious, and social system.
In reply to Islam is a theocracy, not a… by sixsigma cygnu…
Islam, is a political system, expansion plan and a religion all wrapped in one. Deep Stater's dream. But never mind this word game.
Can these Limeys please explain WHY the Russians bothered to gas this guy? This is the test of a false flag, so obvious.
means, MOTIVE, opportunity
In reply to Why do you say "local… by falconflight
"If you tell a lie big enough and repeat it often enough, eventually the people will believe it"
-Goebbels
For example:
"Of a type developed by Russia"
"It is highly probable that Russia was behind this"
"There are no other plausible explanations"
etc. etc
In reply to why? by IntercoursetheEU
" Islam is a political, religious, and social system."
Theocracies are a very poor choice of government. This was discovered a very long time ago in Europe. The middle east is about 700 to 1000 years behind.
In reply to Why do you say "local… by falconflight
A religion exists solely between the worshiper and his God, and no one else.
===
Sound like Protestantism.
In reply to Islam is a theocracy, not a… by sixsigma cygnu…
Merkel and Macron did it
In reply to A religion exists solely… by falconflight
as the lies become more transparent - Macron & Merkel agree easier - there is no purpose to a reason for anything including murder
every time just blame Russia or XXX - Uber murder in Phx was the pedestrians fault - makes sense
illegal aliens are Dreamers / citizens are Deplorables / rape in UK is cultural freedom - free speech is hate speech
In reply to Merkel and Macron did it by wildbad
I would think, that if "Russia did it", on UK Soil, that it would be Child-play for the UK to offer irrefutable PROOF!
I would also think, that before you accuse, try and convict a foriegn NATION for a crime; that you would have proof in hand rather than nothing but an "on going investigation" that you believe can only end with Russia being "guilty".
Geesh! These are GOVERNMENTS acting like FaceBook nutjob posters.
In reply to I heard Russia was going to… by sixsigma cygnu…
France and Germany are browbeaten cucks.
While the UK is run by slime.
These Western European countries have alot of covering their asses to do in the wake of jumping the gun with this Novichok shitshow.
In reply to I would think, that "if… by FireBrander
Soon to be reported by the MSM: "A credible source from zerohedge.com familiar with the matter reported that there is no question that it is Russia's fault.".
A few hours later, CNN will then quote whoever reported it first and then claim that this re-reporting is actual corroboration.
I had no idea that journalism these days was so easy! I am going to start putting it on my CV.
In reply to I heard Russia was going to… by sixsigma cygnu…
Hitler says what?
In reply to MoA has been one of the best… by JSBach1
> who are serious professionals who come from major IT players – have never defended an attack this big on which someone is spending real resources. (ZH take note: Comments are on point/to the point).
MoA has been a great read these last few weeks.
Real question is "Who Gains from this?"
May hasn't the balls to pull this off alone. Exiting the EU she's ripe to be played many ways.
US is Broke (has been since 2005 - credit ponzi since then), and is pumping oil/gas like no tomorrow.
That oil n Gas needs markets EU is fav.
Increse anti RUS turmoil in Eastern States.
The rest is details.
In reply to MoA has been one of the best… by JSBach1
To get blood samples from the Skripals to give to OPCW the UK Government had to go to Court as they could not give permission themselves. Note how careful Porton Down are being in their wording, their reputation is on the line here amongst their equals. They don't care about Teresa May.
The judgment from the High Court yesterday allowed new blood samples to be taken from Sergei and Yulia Skripal to be analyzed by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
In his judgment, Justice David Basil Williams included a summary of the evidence, revealing Porton Down’s analysis. The judgment, which includes sworn court evidence from a Porton Down chemical and biological analyst, reads:
“Blood samples from Sergei Skripal and Yulia Skripal were analyzed and the findings indicated exposure to a nerve agent OR related compound. The samples tested positive for the presence of a Novichok-class nerve agent OR closely related agent.”
From a good thread at https://www.veteranstoday.com/2018/03/23/breaking-russia-tells-their-si…
In reply to > who are serious… by Crazy Or Not
The spy and his daughter will die of blood-letting.
In reply to To get blood samples from… by JohninMK
Obviously the UK government has used chemical weapons against its own people.
I hope they burn the place down (again).
Seriously, if they had any real evidence it would lead to a direct military response.
Or it fucking well should.
Ergo, they did it themselves and are lying.
In reply to MoA has been one of the best… by JSBach1
My tinfoil Ouija Board has spelt out a couple of new
conspiracies. First, it is very possible that MI5/6
themselves poisoned the nerves of the Skripals
without telling May's government. The CIA is famous
for presenting various administrations with fait accompli.
False flags that Washington didn't order, but got stuck
having to acknowledge after the CIA carried them out.
Thus, it is possible that UK's ministers May, BoJo, and
the infantile Gavin Williamson just took the word of
MI5/6 upon which they based their stupid, offensive
and undiplomatic remarks.
It will be up to future governments of the UK to get
the toothpaste back in the tube and Gavin Williamson
back to selling furniture and fireplaces, where he first
dazzled May and other distinguished Tories.
Second, a much more tinfoil conspiracy, is that the
Skripals 'poisoning' is the third use of a nerve agent
agent by some unidentified players -- probably
the same in all three instances . Admittedly, it
was much more 'tinfoil' when there was only one
'data point', but two more have come into existence,
and like GPS, they helped me arrive at my destination.
The first point was the strange tale of Otto Warmbier.
A University of Virginia graduate :
A nice looking young man in his early 20s, a preppy
type, no doubt intelligent to have graduated from U
of V, a school conveniently located near the seat of
the US government and the headquarters of the CIA.
When I was a student at the U of P in the late 50s
I remember being told by friends that the CIA was
on campus recruiting graduates to be future agents.
Warmbier was intelligent enough to do graduate
work in Hong Kong and interested enough to want
to see North Korea, while being stupid enough to
supposedly try to leave the country with a stolen
poster of NorKo propaganda, from the hotel he
was staying in.
So in early 2016 he was convicted and sentenced
to 15 years at hard labor. That made me think he
was an agent of the CIA,
whose assignment it was to be arrested and jailed
by North Korea. But for what purpose? To what
end? Over a year later we learned that a month
after his conviction, he fell into a coma "as a
result of botulism and a sleeping pill." Did the
CIA give him the chemicals to self-induce a coma?
By the time we were told about Warmbier's coma
and he was shipped home in June 2017, the second
data point had come and gone. I refer to the unusual
assassination of Kim Jong-nam.
So this is the second data point. And it's about North
Korea as well. In January 2016 Otto Warmbier is
sentenced to 15 years in a North Korean prison, one
month later he falls into a coma after taking a
sleeping pill and in June 2017 he is returned to his
home in Cincinnati, where he promptly dies.
On February 13, 2017, Kim Jong-nam is killed by a
nerve agent while waiting for a plane. It was
speculated that his death was ordered by his
half-brother Kim Jong-un.
WEST 2 0 NORTH KOREA
No one should be surprised, then, at this headline
of the Daily Mail, July 9, 2017, a month after
Warmbier's death.
There is a lot more water under the bridge than these
few facts illuminate. Kim Jong-nam had a dozen vials
of the antidote for VX nerve agent in his bag at the
airport. Did someone warn him there would be a VX
nerve agent attempt on his life or was VX implicated
because North Korea was known to have old VX agents
degrading in a refrigerator in Pyongyang?
His death is under investigation, but it is speculated
that it was carried out at the command of the North
Korean government. The US Department of State
eventually determined it was an assassination conducted
by North Korea using VX gas. Back to the Otto:
"Warmbier died on June 19, 2017, six days after his
return to the United States. U.S.officials blamed North
Korea for his death."
After Kim Jong-nam's murder we had two pieces of
information: Otto Warmbier foolishly, maybe
intentionally, stole an North Korean propaganda poster
out of a hotel in Pyongyang and was serving a 15 year
sentence. In February, 2017 Kim Jong-un's half-brother
was murdered very strangely in a Malaysian airport.
4 months later the comatose Warmbier is sent home
and dies 6 days later. The US blamed both deaths on
North Korea and Kim Jong-un.
How did Warmbier hold out for a year and a half only
to expire after being returned to his family? Maybe
Warmbier is still alive having been given the antidote
for whatever combo of drugs the CIA gave him to
induce his coma, the sleeping pill being the second.
Why was Kim Jong-nam both rubbed on the face with
a handkerchief and immediately sprayed with an
aerosol mist? Maybe Kim Jong-nam was a victim of
binary poisoning?
Perhaps that's what the chaps at Porton Down have
been working on, lo these last 2 years. English
Binary Poison. Maybe the Skripals were first test case
of a propaganda bonanza for the English against the
Hitlerian Putin. It would be so like those slimy, limey
hypocrites, to invent a nerve agent, one chemical of
which could be administered in a pub and the
second chemical in a restaurant a short time later.
In that way MI5/6 would avoid accidentally
murdering Miss Marple or the Duchess of
Cornwall who happened to stop in for some
nose paint or a fork-full of pork kidney risotto.
Ah, the English. As selfish and stupid a tribe
of criminal minds that ever came down the pike.
In reply to Obviously the UK government… by Jim in MN
.
In reply to Obviously the UK government… by Jim in MN
Macron,La Putain de France ,was elected with a whopping 16% of total electoral French votes.
In France ,there are constant big protests from the people ,never covered in US media(a big one two days ago,people beaten and arrested)
Then ,(they) did the Gladio 2.0 .with an ISIS attack in a supermarket.
I can tell you with certainty that the French people will never march against Russia again.
Neither the German people.
One good thing may come from all this f*ckery=total annihilation of NATO.
A bon entendeur,salut!
Fick dich ,baise toi NATO/JUSA !
In reply to … by Looney
Neither the German people nor French people will march against Russia because these 2 are going be minorities within the lands built by their ancestors.
In reply to Macron,La Putain de France … by veritas semper…
Without The Fighting Frogs you wouldn't be an independant nation ...
In reply to … by Looney
With all the cameras in the UK, surely they have video of the perp
In reply to Doesn't seem very convincing… by Erek
There is no perp, the Skripals are living somewhere else and this is BS or the hospitaliages would have been leaked by now, same reason they are not "dead" there would be autopsy photos to follow.
In reply to With all the cameras in the… by Badsamm
wont see any german and french tanks going east, nor any AC. just jaw boning a boogyman to cover their failures at home
In reply to Doesn't seem very convincing… by Erek
But Russia , fooled as she was by NATO who would promise not to encroach on her borders, should move her tanks right there at the Rhine river for good diplomacy.
In reply to wont see any german and … by stant
"Highly Likely" is the same as saying "Definatly Possible" its a copout term that means, we don't know sh*t but we will push this until it can be disproven and by then the repeated accusation becomes fact and all thats remembered.
If I was Russia I would await the world cup then refuse all UK passports from entering the country due to "concerns or repercussions/National security"
Then I would plan out my cutting off fuel sales to all Nato member states, the same way they refused to allow Russian aircraft carrier from refueling enroute to Syria.
I live in the EU and I still think they should do this!
They want to be US lapdog, ok, get your fuel from them.... Cutting off my nose to spite my face is almost acceptable in this case.
In reply to Doesn't seem very convincing… by Erek
Russia won't do that. They, unlike some others, still believe in the law.
In reply to "Highly Likely" is the same… by perikleous
Right. And the sane world is not the rest, its the majority.
In reply to Doesn't seem very convincing… by Erek
Bullshit
If Russia did want the guy killed -- and I say "if" rhetorically -- they certainly could have done so without paving a 4-lane highway of implied guilt to their own door. This shit is embarrassingly transparent.
Total horseshit.
In reply to Bullshit by Rex Andrus
„Novo“ as being developed in the late seventies ! Kept a keen interest in military chemistry as a child and hence enrolled in chemical engineering one day … long story made short :
Me no expert but with most of the nasties developed and applied first half of the 20th century the after WWII focus was on treaty beating non traceable substances.
Hard to trace at least , centered around highly volatile compounds.
As such this allegeded attack can never be given any credibility.
The lab certifying the agent used happens to be one of the few in the world who
could have produced it , while the Russians have proof they can no longer produce
any of it. Go figure. False flag set up at it`s worst.
In reply to If Russia did want the guy… by Ignatius
Post brexit UK made to take the role of the new Serbians or their own Polish proxy provocators of old ? Brexit abused , made to run over the cliff ?
In reply to „Novo“ as being developed in… by TheGardener
That other ex Russian spy that was strangled to death; yeah, now that I would believe "Russia did it"...old school, simple, hard core, fast and effective.
This latest "Chemical attack"...the theory is all over the place...they put the chemicals in his daughters scarf? Oh, no wait, the chemicals were put into the ventilation system of their car?
Novichok is suppose to be 10x more deadly than VX; they were exposed and survived? What?
>>somebody<< wanted a "Chemical Weapons Attack" on UK soil that sames >>somebody<< wanted to make sure it all pointed to Russia.
In reply to If Russia did want the guy… by Ignatius
Novichok is "safer" to handle the other Chemical weapons...makes sense to use that...you wouldn't want your MI6 agents dead in the street trying to frame Russia...
In reply to That other ex Russian spy… by FireBrander
This must be the "Obama words" twist there arm to get them to comply. He stated this regarding allies that the US needs to go along with what US wants.
In reply to If Russia did want the guy… by Ignatius
Did anybody die yet? Are you sure it wasn't food poisoning?
Did the physician become ill?
Both of their nations have experience invading Russia. Go for it again
My fear is that these butt pirates we call leaders will try to bury their lies in nuclear rubble.
Ain't gonna be no land invasion. Dangerous times.
In reply to Both of their nations have… by cossack55
Before that happens, European politicians need to be hanging from lamp posts.
If they force us to risk our lives, we will risk our lives tackling the right enemy.
In reply to My fear is that these butt… by Ignatius
Its a cult folks. They dont do reason or logic.
"nor" logic , Sir. Hate me my grammar Nazis , but I`m the the son of such parents.
And why do you think the left acknowledges there is an intellectual right ?
Cause they never ever strive to be pure and error free. It is our prerogative to never make mistakes in language and logic and as such not to mimic their dumb speech.
In reply to Its a cult folks. They dont… by VWAndy
Pagination