Trump makes the first official comment on the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in the UK. He reveals that he will be talking to Theresa May today, but remains reluctant to express his outrage against Russia.
Yesterday, Tillerson spoke out against the recent nerve attack of a double agent in the UK, allegedly by the Russians, while Trump remained silent.
The State Department stated on Monday evening that there is no justification for the attempted murder of a private citizen on the soil of a sovereign nation. “We are outraged that Russia appears to have again engaged in such behavior. From Ukraine to Syria – and now the UK – Russia continues to be an irresponsible force of instability in the world, acting with open disregard for the sovereignty of other states and the life of their citizens.”
On Tuesday morning, Trump made his first official comment from the South Portico entrance, on the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal, but remained reluctant to express his outrage against Russia in the same way the State Department did.
“Well, it sounds to me – I’m speaking to Theresa May today – it sounds to me like it would be Russia based on all of the evidence they have. I don’t know if they’ve come to a conclusion but she’s calling me today. Theresa May is going to be speaking to me today. It sounds to me like they believe it was Russia and I would certainly take that finding as fact.”
Asked if there should be a US response, he replied: “As soon as we get the facts straight, if we agree with them, we will condemn Russia or whoever it may be. But I have not spoken to her. I’ll speak to her sometime today.”
Moscow was quick to deny its responsibility, calling May’s statement “another political information campaign based on a provocation”. The spokeswoman Zakharova had harsh words for Westminster, calling it a “circus show in the British parliament”.
The UK will decide on Wednesday its course of action in response to the nerve attack; until then, Russia is given that deadline to explain its actions.