EU recalls envoy to Russia in wake of Salisbury attack

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS

Amid accusations that Russia is responsible for a poison attack on a Russian ex-spy in Britain, the EU is recalling its ambassador to Moscow.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini recalled the head of the EU Delegation in the Russian Federation for consultations in Brussels, said a European Council statement.

"The Head of Delegation … is expected to arrive in Brussels this weekend for consultations with her," added the statement.

On Thursday, European Council's President Donald Tusk wrote on Twitter that the council "agrees" with London that Russia is "likely" responsible for the Salisbury attack as “there is no other plausible explanation.”

Twenty-three Russian diplomats left Britain Wednesday in the single biggest expulsion of foreign diplomats from the U.K. since the 1970s after Russia refused to provide any explanation for their stockpile of Novichok, which Britain says Moscow used in the attempted March 4 murders.

Ex-spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain in stable but critical condition in the hospital after being found unconscious on a public bench in Salisbury, southern England.

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS

Amid accusations that Russia is responsible for a poison attack on a Russian ex-spy in Britain, the EU is recalling its ambassador to Moscow.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini recalled the head of the EU Delegation in the Russian Federation for consultations in Brussels, said a European Council statement.

"The Head of Delegation … is expected to arrive in Brussels this weekend for consultations with her," added the statement.

Ex-spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain in stable but critical condition in the hospital after being found unconscious on a public bench in Salisbury, southern England.