Lithuanian Foreign Ministry accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in UK

Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius has supported the statement by British government on Russia’s complicity in poisoning of Sergei Skripal, former colonel of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate, who was in the territory of UK. According to RuBaltic.ru, Linkevičius demanded “investigation and punishment of those guilty.”

The minister told reporters he suspects Russia in that crime, recalling that British authorities suspect it as well.

To recall, Prime Minister Theresa May said Russia is “highly likely” to be behind the poisoning of former colonel of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Moscow has refuted the suspicions of the British government and demanded access to investigation materials. “We have already made a statement. This is nonsense. We have nothing to do with it,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Sergei Skripal was given political asylum in UK in 2010 after exchange of intelligence officers between Russia and U.S. On March 5, Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious due to poisoning with unknown substance.

According to BaltNews.lt, the stance of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry is quite logical, as Vilnius is extremely dependent on London in all fields: political, economic, military. A huge number of migrants from Lithuania have found shelter in UK, and this is another fact that keeps Vilnius from arguing with London now when Brexit is entering a crucial phase.