Russian Spy Scandal: Statement from UK Embassy to Georgia

Following the Skripal poisoning in the UK this month, the British Embassy in Georgia has made a statement to the Georgian people, saying the Russian Federation’s behavior was “part of an established pattern of Russian state aggression deployed against Georgia and in other parts of Europe, including Ukraine,” and that the UK is “grateful for the firm support of our strategic partner Georgia.” They have also said that “this is how Russia has acted in every other case where it has been caught flouting international law: denial, distraction and threats.”

It reads: “On Sunday March 4, in Salisbury, England, Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found on a public bench, slipping out of consciousness, and were taken to hospital by emergency services, where they remain in critical condition.

Investigations conducted by leading world experts at the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down have identified that they were poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia. This is part of a group of nerve agents known as ‘Novichok’.

Based on detailed investigations, and on the knowledge that Russia has previously produced this nerve agent, combined with Russia’s record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations, the British Government has concluded that it is highly likely that Russia was responsible for the act against Sergei and Yulia Skripal.

We have decided that there were only two plausible explanations. Either:

- This was a direct act by the Russian state against the United Kingdom;

- Or the Russian Government had lost control of this potentially catastrophically damaging nerve agent and allowed it to get into the hands of others.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson summoned the Russian Ambassador and asked him to explain which of these two explanations was correct. Russia offered no explanation as to how this Russian-produced nerve agent came to be used in Salisbury against Mr Skripal and his daughter; and no explanation as to why Russia has an undeclared chemical weapons program in contravention of international law.

We have therefore concluded that this amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom.

We have not jumped to conclusions. We have carried out a thorough, careful investigation, which is continuing. We have asked the organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to independently verify the nerve agent used. We have offered Russia the chance to explain. Yet, Russia has refused.

I know that our friends in Georgia will not be surprised by these developments. This unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the UK is part of an established pattern of Russian state aggression deployed against Georgia and other parts of Europe, including Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Theresa May set out to Parliament the full range of measures that it will take in response to the Kremlin’s decisions. These include:

- The expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers.

- The development of more targeted powers to detain people suspected of acting for Hostile States at the UK border.

- Proposals for new counter-espionage powers and stronger powers to impose sanctions on those who violate human rights.

- Freezing of Russian State assets wherever we have evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents.

- Suspension of all planned high-level bilateral contacts with Russia.

While the UK’s response must be robust, it must also remain true to their values – as a liberal democracy that believes in the rule of law. And in taking these measures, they have been clear that we have no disagreement with the people of Russia. It is the reckless acts of their government which we oppose.

We are sincerely grateful for the firm support of our strategic partner Georgia, and many other countries around the world. We have heard the attacks and threats Russia has made over the past few days. We know there will be more to come. This is how Russia has acted in every other case where it has been caught flouting international law: denial, distraction and threats.

But we will not let such threats deter us. We will stand firm, confident in our democracy and the rule of law. We will stand by the values which we share with the people of Georgia and the overwhelming majority of the international community.”

Statement source: https://www.facebook.com/ukingeorgia/posts/2059742194043871

Tom Day