British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed on Thursday (December 4) that responsibility for the 2018 Novichok attack in Salisbury lies with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the conclusion of a public inquiry into the poisoning.
The inquiry found that Putin must have ordered the attack, which involved operatives from the Russian military intelligence agency, the GRU, targeting Russian double agent Sergei Skripal.
The attack, which took place in Salisbury, led to the poisoning of Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, as well as the tragic death of an innocent British woman, Dawn Sturgess, who was inadvertently exposed to the nerve agent.
The UK government responded to the inquiry's findings by imposing new sanctions on Russia, marking the first time that the entire GRU agency has been subjected to such measures. Starmer emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the attack was an example of hostile activity on British soil that warranted a strong response.
"We have responded with sanctions. It's the first time we've done sanctions like this at this scale on the GRU," Starmer said. "It's the right thing to do, and we remain ever vigilant."
In addition to the sanctions, the UK government has vowed to continue its efforts to counter Russian aggression and maintain a strong stance in defense of national security. The measures are seen as a direct response to Russia's continued disregard for international law and its role in the attack.
Despite the British government's firm stance, Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the Salisbury attack and dismissed the newly imposed sanctions as illegitimate. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova remarked that Russia does not recognize the sanctions, which were imposed "under trumped-up pretexts" and circumvented the U.N. Security Council. She added that Russia reserves the right to retaliate.
The public inquiry's findings and the subsequent sanctions are likely to further strain relations between the UK and Russia, as both sides continue to engage in a diplomatic standoff over the attack and its aftermath.
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