Russia should respond to UK measures very rapidly and robustly
MOSCOW. March 14 (Interfax) - Russia's response to London's actions against Moscow over the Skripal case should be rapid, robust and reciprocal, Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko said.
"The British have put blame on Russia, without presenting any evidence. This is unprecedented. I believe there aren't any such examples in the diplomatic tradition. That's why we, Russia, should react very rapidly, very robustly and reciprocally," Matviyenko told reporters on Wednesday.
This is how she commented on Britain's accusations against Russia over the poisoning of former Main Intelligence Directorate officer Sergei Skripal and the anti-Russian measures announced by British Prime Minister Theresa May.
In Matviyenko's view, the situation surrounding the Skripal case is "a shameless provocation with a badly staged and badly written scenario about the allegedly Russian trail". "Meanwhile, the anti-presidential campaign is scheduled by day in order to instill a negative image of Russia in the world community," Matviyenko said.
Matviyenko suggested that in so doing, May is trying to distract the attention of British people from serious problems at home or raise her own falling approval numbers.
"I am absolutely sure that this despicable act will ultimately be exposed, as will be those behind it. And I am afraid that Theresa May will go down history like the notorious general [that once appeared in public] shaking a test tube that he said contained some chemical weapon of Saddam Hussein's," Matviyenko said.
"I hope prudent politicians in Britain understand what kind of damage to the bilateral relations between Russia and the United Kingdom has been caused by such unwise actions on the part of the current government," she went on.
"There is no rational explanation for the actions of the British authorities. There is no logic to them," she added.
"There is still nobody in London capable of answering a simple question: why would Russia undertake some stupid steps that would result in higher tensions in the run-up to the presidential election and the football World Cup?" Matviyenko said.
This is the question that Britain's allies are increasingly asking, she said.