May sends Putin condolence letter after fire

moscow - The British Prime Minister Theresa May sent a condolence letter to the Russian president Vladimir Putin after the deadly fire in Siberia. She wrote that the British sympathize with the relatives of the victims, the British embassy in Moscow announced.

Because of the fire in a shopping center, at least 64 people lost their lives, many of whom were children. The condolence letter comes at a sensitive moment in the relationship between the countries. Great Britain and Russia are embroiled in a diplomatic conflict over the nerve gas attack in Salisbury, where former Russian double-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter have been poisoned.

Russia denies anything to do with that attack. Yet London recently decided to expel 23 Russian diplomats. That action was followed Monday. Then governments all over Europe, the United States and other countries announced that Russian officials would also show the door.