Russia hits back in spy poisoning row as experts called in

LONDON: Russia hit back at Britain in the spy poisoning row on Monday, demanding proof that Moscow was involved in the nerve agent attack, as international weapons experts were called in to take a sample of the chemical for testing.

The poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal plunged relations between London and Moscow into crisis, shortly before the re-election of Russian President Vladimir Putin. But as the European Union offered "unqualified solidarity" with Britain, the Kremlin insisted that Britain prove Russia was involved in the March 4 attack or apologise. "Sooner or later these unsubstantiated allegations will have to be answered for: either backed up with the appropriate evidence or apologised for," said Putin´s spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Putin on Sunday rejected as "complete drivel, rubbish, nonsense" the allegations by London and its allies that Russia was behind the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury.

But on Monday, British Prime Minister Theresa May reiterated her belief that Russia was responsible. "They have the capability. This nerve agent was one from a group of Novichoks that were developed by the Soviets," she said during a visit to Birmingham.

"Russia has the capability and I believe the motive and intent and this is part of a pattern of behaviour we see from Russia across Europe." The EU said it fully backed Britain. "The European Union expresses its unqualified solidarity with the UK and its support, including for the UK´s efforts to bring those responsible for this crime to justice," EU foreign ministers said in a joint statement.