Theresa May Seeks EU Backing Against Russia On Spy Attack

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday sought to unite EU leaders in condemnation of Moscow over the poisoning of a former Russian spy, but she faces resistance from states keen to protect their Kremlin ties.

Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Mar, 2018 ) :British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday sought to unite EU leaders in condemnation of Moscow over the poisoning of a former Russian spy, but she faces resistance from states keen to protect their Kremlin ties.

May will brief her colleagues at a Brussels summit on the progress of the investigation into the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury using a deadly Soviet-developed nerve agent.

While the US, France and Germany have swung behind London, saying they accept the UK assessment that the Russian state is the only plausible culprit, other EU countries with close links to Moscow -- notably Greece and Italy -- want a softer line.

May will remind her fellow 27 leaders the threat from the east will continue long after Britain leaves the bloc next year. "The challenge of Russia is one that will endure for years to come. As a European democracy the UK will stand shoulder to shoulder with the EU and with NATO to face these threats together.

United we will succeed," she is expected to tell them. EU President Donald Tusk said on the eve of the summit that leaders will show "solidarity" with Britain after Salisbury and called the bloc to take practical steps to "reinforce our preparedness for future attacks".