To the European Union, corporate solidarity is more important than common sense. The leaders of the states belonging to the union took the side of the United Kingdom, whose authorities accused Kremlin agents of poisoning the former GRU colonel Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia. As a result, the European Union took the same step as Britain, and withdrew its ambassador from Russia. Marcus Ederer returns to Brussels "for consultations". Such a decision was made at the EU summit in Brussels. "The European Council condemns in the strongest terms the recent attack in Salisbury, expresses its deepest condolences to all whose lives have been jeopardized, and supports the ongoing investigation," reads the final statement of the summit quoted by RT.
"It is very likely that Russia is responsible for it (the attack), and there is no other plausible explanation. We unreservedly agree with the United Kingdom in the face of this serious challenge to our common security, "the EU stressed..
Other measures in relation to the Russian Federation (apart from recalling the ambassador), European politicians have decided not yet to take. They called for strengthening resistance to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risks, including through closer cooperation with NATO. In addition, the EU members agreed to "coordinate their actions on possible consequences in the light of the response that the Russian authorities will provide".
The response to the scandal may be further pursued by individual EU countries. France, Poland and the Baltic states can withdraw their diplomatic representatives from Russia. The threatening statements were made by Chancellor Angela Merkel. According to her, the EU countries are "determined" if necessary to take new measures against Russia, but first we need to wait for the results of the analysis of the poison agent.
It is gratifying that the Russian Federation in Europe has allies that did not succumb to provocation and did not appeal to retaliation until an investigation was carried out. It is reported that Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Slovakia opposed the worsening of relations with our country.
Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel called on not to lose control and take thoughtful decisions in connection with the Skripal case. He also called for the creation of a permanent high-level political channel for dialogue with Moscow. This will help to reduce the escalation in the relations between Russia and Europe.
Experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have already taken samples of the nerve agent in Solbsery. The analysis will take about three weeks.
Russian politicians pay attention to the fact that many European politicians strongly criticize Russia on the camera, but when it comes to concrete measures, all their determination goes somewhere, because they understand that our country can symmetrically answer.
"By and large this is the easiest measure to demonstrate discontent, since there is almost nothing behind it.
A recall for a consultation is a common practice when the relationship is somewhat complicated or heated. As a rule, it is temporary. After some time, the ambassador will return, "- said First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Jabarov.
In his opinion, Russia can not attach much importance to this move. Relations between the parties are virtually frozen, and the European ambassador in Moscow is mostly idle. His absence will not affect the situation in any way.