MOSCOW (AP) – Pressure increased Wednesday on Moscow over the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in Britain as more Russian diplomats were being expelled or recalled. Russia says it will respond to the moves, but a senior diplomat said there is no hurry to retaliate.
Russia denies Britain’s accusation that it was behind the March 4 nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the city of Salisbury. Both remain in critical condition.
Skripal was imprisoned in Russia before being sent to Britain in a 2010 spy swap.
More than 20 nations have announced the expulsion of more than 150 Russian diplomats in the dispute, including 60 by the United States. Britain expelled 23 and Russia retaliated with the same number, but it has not responded to the other moves.
Montenegro on Wednesday announced it would expel a Russian diplomat. Slovakia and Malta said they would recall their ambassadors from Russia.