EU countries: Russia behind nerve gas attack

brussels - The heads of government of the EU countries agree that Russia is most likely behind the nerve gas attack in Salisbury on former double-spy Sergei Skripal. According to them, there is no other plausible explanation for this, after 28 years of discussion on Russia, the 28 proposed a summit in Brussels.

The EU countries condemn the attack in the 'strongest possible terms. '' Our solidarity with the United Kingdom is unconditional. 'The British Prime Minister May, the German Chancellor Merkel and the French President Macron had deliberated before the dinner about a stronger conviction of the attack and were able to convince their colleagues.

The Foreign Ministers did not come any further on Monday than that the EU takes the UK's assertion that Russia is most likely responsible 'very seriously'. Reportedly Greece and Hungary did not want to put the blame on Russia. Apparently these countries are now ready. The Netherlands also showed itself to be cautious.

Member States are now going to look together for measures to follow, taking into account Russia's answers to the questions posed by the British in particular. According to insiders, some Member States are prepared to expel Russian diplomats following the United Kingdom. Additional economic sanctions are now not on the agenda.

The leaders further agreed that the EU should be better able to defend itself against chemical, biological and nuclear risks, in cooperation with NATO. More work must also be done on counterintelligence and fighting off threats such as cyber attacks. The European Commission is instructed to work this out.

The British Prime Minister Theresa May was pleased with the European position on Russia. 'I welcome the fact that the EU agrees with the British position on Russia's responsibility for the attack in Salisbury. There is no demonstrable alternative explanation for what happened there. We must stand together strongly against the Russian threat to our values, 'said May.