EU is calling back Ambassador from Moscow

brussels - The European Union is calling its ambassador back from Moscow for consultation. The measure follows the establishment of EU heads of government on Thursday evening that Russia is most likely behind the attack with nerve gas in Salisbury on former double-spy Sergei Skripal. According to them, that is the only plausible explanation.

Under pressure from British Prime Minister May, German Chancellor Merkel and French President Macron, Member States tightened their condemnation of the attack. They now expressly point to Moscow. Some countries, including Lithuania, have already shown their willingness to expel Russian diplomats following the United Kingdom.

'You see the European Union going even further behind the United Kingdom,' Prime Minister Rutte said about the tightening. According to him, this is of great political significance and is 'much appreciated' by Theresa May. She did not put additional evidence on the table that the Russians would be behind the attack, the prime minister continued. 'We need to show more clearly that the EU thinks this is unacceptable and that we are behind England', Rutte summarized the recent discussion.

'No one is thinking about extra sanctions now, but what measures are being taken is something that we have to decide in the coming period if that would be the case', Rutte continued. So the Netherlands is going to look with the other countries what 'logical next steps' are. Rutte said about the EU ambassador that it was not withdrawn, but 'recalled to Brussels for consultation. '

Merkel also considers further measures against Moscow possible. 'We are determined to respond together. '