Theresa May to outline Russia sanctions as Moscow warns of response

The Prime Minister is reportedly preparing to target allies of President Putin with assets in the UK, London-based Russian diplomats and Kremlin-backed television station RT.

But Moscow’s embassy last night warned: "Any threat to take punitive measures against Russia will meet with a response. The British side should be aware of that."

In the Commons on Monday, Mrs May gave Russia's ambassador to the UK 24 hours to explain to the Foreign Office what role the country had played in the assassination attempt.

She said: “Should there be no credible response, we will conclude that this action amounts to an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the United Kingdom."

Moscow later said Britain must not to issue threats and “groundless ultimatums”.

Former double agent Mr Skripal, and his daughter Yulia remain in hospital after being found unconscious on a shopping centre bench in Salisbury, Wiltshire, earlier this month.

Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey, who was the first to respond to the incident, is also still receiving treatment.

According to The Sun, British security chiefs have been tasked with uncovering information to embarrass President Putin and his allies.

A senior security source told the newspaper: “We’re going to play Putin at his own game. The gloves are off now."

It comes after US President Donald Trump told Mrs May in a phone call yesterday that America will be "with the UK all the way" as she decides how to respond to the attack on Mr Sergei.

His comments came despite the White House previously refusing to echo the Prime Minister's claim that the Kremlin was "highly likely" to have been responsible.

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