Downing Street Welcomes US Sanctions On Russia

Around 200 military personnel helped with decontamination work in Salisbury following the poisoning (Picture: PA). 

Downing Street has welcomed the announcement that the US is imposing new sanctions on Russia, in response to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury.

The US State Department said it had determined that Moscow used lethal chemical or biological weapons, in violation of international law.

The US has agreed with the UK's assessment that Moscow was "highly likely" to have been responsible for the attack. The Kremlin vehemently denies involvement.

This also led to dozens of Russian diplomats being expelled.

A Downing Street spokesman said:

"The UK welcomes this further action by our US allies.

"The strong international response to the use of a chemical weapon on the streets of Salisbury sends an unequivocal message to Russia that its provocative, reckless behaviour will not go unchallenged."

The new sanctions are expected to come into effect on or around 22 August following a 15-day Congressional notification period.

Reports suggest that one of the sanctions will be a ban on granting licenses to export sensitive national security goods to Russia.

Then after three months, unless Russia agrees to UN inspections and provides assurance that it will not use chemical weapons again, the sanctions could include downgrading diplomatic relations, suspending flights to the US by state airline Aeroflot and cutting off many exports and imports.

Russia has also been blamed for the death of Dawn Sturgess and the poisoning of Charlie Rowley, who are believed to have come into contact with discarded Novichok from the Skripal attack.