Danish PM Rasmussen reiterates support for UK after Copenhagen meeting
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen underlined Denmark’s support for the United Kingdom in its diplomatic feud with Russia over the poisoning of a former spy in the British town of Salisbury.
“It is important that we show a united front and hold the culprits to account,” Rasmussen said after meeting British prime minister Theresa May in Copenhagen on Monday.
Russia is accused by the United Kingdom of being responsible for an attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter using the Novichok nerve agent.
The attack occurred in the town of Salisbury in southwest England on March 4th. Downing Street has said that there is “no plausible explanation other than that the Russian state” was responsible. Russia denies being behind the incident.
Denmark has expelled two Russian envoys as part of coordinated EU sanctions in response to the alleged Russian nerve gas attack.
READ ALSO: Denmark to expel two Russian envoys over UK spy attack
"There's no plausible explanation other than Russia was responsible," May said during a press conference following her meeting with Rasmussen, citing analyses carried out at British military laboratory Porton Down.
“Porton Down is a world-renowned laboratory and has identified [the agent used to poison Skripal] as a military nerve agent from the Novichok family, which was developed by Russia,” she said.
The British PM also said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his backers "must be held to account" if a suspected poison gas attack on the rebel-held town of Douma is confirmed.
"If confirmed this is yet another example of the Assad regime's brutality and brazen disregard for its own people and for its legal obligation not to use these weapons," May told reporters in Copenhagen.
"If they're found to be responsible, the regime and its backers, including Russia, must be held to account."
READ ALSO: Danish PM Rasmussen to travel to Berlin for 'post-UK' EU talks
Comments
See Also
“It is important that we show a united front and hold the culprits to account,” Rasmussen said after meeting British prime minister Theresa May in Copenhagen on Monday.
Russia is accused by the United Kingdom of being responsible for an attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter using the Novichok nerve agent.
The attack occurred in the town of Salisbury in southwest England on March 4th. Downing Street has said that there is “no plausible explanation other than that the Russian state” was responsible. Russia denies being behind the incident.
Denmark has expelled two Russian envoys as part of coordinated EU sanctions in response to the alleged Russian nerve gas attack.
READ ALSO: Denmark to expel two Russian envoys over UK spy attack
"There's no plausible explanation other than Russia was responsible," May said during a press conference following her meeting with Rasmussen, citing analyses carried out at British military laboratory Porton Down.
“Porton Down is a world-renowned laboratory and has identified [the agent used to poison Skripal] as a military nerve agent from the Novichok family, which was developed by Russia,” she said.
The British PM also said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his backers "must be held to account" if a suspected poison gas attack on the rebel-held town of Douma is confirmed.
"If confirmed this is yet another example of the Assad regime's brutality and brazen disregard for its own people and for its legal obligation not to use these weapons," May told reporters in Copenhagen.
"If they're found to be responsible, the regime and its backers, including Russia, must be held to account."
READ ALSO: Danish PM Rasmussen to travel to Berlin for 'post-UK' EU talks
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.