White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders strongly condemned Monday a suspected Russian attack on a former spy in the United Kingdom last week.
“The use of a highly lethal nerve agent against U.K. citizens on U.K. soil is an outrage. The attack was reckless, indiscriminate and irresponsible. We offer the fullest condemnation, and we extend our sympathy to the victims and their families and our support to the U.K. government. We stand by our closest ally and the special relationship that we have,” Sanders declared in a prepared statement at the press briefing.
The attack targeted a former Russian intelligence officer who defected to the U.K. along with his 33-year-old daughter. The attack also affected an officer who responded to the scene of the attack. All remain in serious condition.
Sanders declined to name Russia as the culprit, instead she repeatedly stated that the U.S. stands with its U.K. ally. British Prime Minister Theresa May, however, had no qualms in blaming Russia, telling parliament Monday it is “highly likely” that the Kremlin is responsible.
“Highly likely” Russia was responsible for poisoning Sergei & Yulia Skripal in Salisbury – UK PM Theresa May https://t.co/U4h0vZpow5 pic.twitter.com/QnT5r0V0SG
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 12, 2018
May said that the Russian ambassador in the U.K. was summoned to offer an explanation for the attack and that the British government “will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state.”
“We will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state” says Theresa May if there is “no credible response” comes from Russia pic.twitter.com/mW6JQODdAN
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 12, 2018