The European Council agreed with the United Kingdom’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible for the recent attack in Salisbury and that there is no plausible alternative explanation. So said European Council President Donald Tusk, who announced the decision to recall the EU Ambassador to Russia for consultations.
Speaking after the March 22 European Council meeting, Tusk said: “As a direct follow up to last week’s European Council decision to react to Russia within a common framework, already today 14 Member states have decided to expel Russian diplomats.”
According to Tusk, additional measures, including further expulsions within this common EU framework are not to be excluded in the coming days and weeks.
“We remain critical of the actions of the Russian government, but at the same time, today we Europeans – together with the Russian people – mourn the victims of the tragic fire in the city of Kemerovo in Western Siberia. Our thoughts and hearts are with you.”
