Denmark, Ireland mull steps against Russia over spy attack

Denmark is considering taking steps in addition to measures already taken against Russia by the 28-nation European Union, the country’s prime minister has said.

“The government will over the next few days very seriously consider if and how Denmark -- in addition to the decisions we have contributed to collectively -- can support Britain,” Lars Lokke Rasmussen has told broadcaster TV 2 in Brussels, as quoted by the Reuters news agency.

The steps could include withdrawing Danish diplomats from Russia or expelling Russian diplomats from Denmark, Reuters said, citing TV 2.

Ireland considering expelling Russian diplomats: PM

Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar told reporters on Friday that his country would in the near future consider expelling Russian diplomats in response to the UK incident, according to Poland’s PAP news agency.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has said it is “highly likely” that Russia was behind the nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia in Salisbury, southern England, on March 4.

Moscow has denied allegations of Russian involvement.

In response to the incident, the UK has expelled 23 Russian diplomats believed to be involved in espionage-related activities.

Fellow EU members such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and France, in addition to Poland, may also decide to expel Russian spies operating under the guise of diplomats in their countries, according to PAP.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said last week that those responsible for the suspected nerve gas attack in Britain “should be identified and punished.”

In a statement for PAP, Duda said that “the use of chemical weapons on the territory of our strategic ally cannot be left unanswered.”

(gs/pk)

Source: Reuters, PAP