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Vladimir Putin calls Sergei Skripal a scumbag and a traitor Vladimir Putin calls Sergei Skripal a scumbag and a traitor
(35 minutes later)
Vladimir Putin has called the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal a “scumbag” and “traitor”, as he angrily denied allegations that the Kremlin had ordered his poisoning with a nerve agent. Vladimir Putin has called the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal a “scumbag” and a “traitor”, as he angrily denied allegations that the Kremlin ordered his poisoning with a nerve agent.
Speaking at an energy forum in Moscow, the Russian president accused the west of portraying Skripal, who was poisoned with novichok in Salisbury in March, as an innocent victim. Speaking at an energy forum in Moscow, the Russian president accused the west of portraying Skripal, who was poisoned with novichok in Salisbury, as an innocent victim.
“I see that some of your colleagues are pushing the theory that Mr Skripal was almost some kind of human rights activist,” Putin said following a question from a moderator.“I see that some of your colleagues are pushing the theory that Mr Skripal was almost some kind of human rights activist,” Putin said following a question from a moderator.
“He was simply a spy. A traitor to the motherland. There is such a concept – a traitor to the motherland. He was one of those.”“He was simply a spy. A traitor to the motherland. There is such a concept – a traitor to the motherland. He was one of those.”
Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found slumped on a park bench in the English city on 4 March. Britain says Russian intelligence officers poisoned them with the novichok. Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found slumped on a park bench in the English city on 4 March. Britain says Russian intelligence officers poisoned them with novichok.
Putin, a former intelligence officer, has angrily decried “traitors” before. He has said that he cannot forgive disloyalty and that “traitors will kick the bucket”. Putin, a former intelligence officer, has angrily decried “traitors” before. He has said he cannot forgive disloyalty and “traitors will kick the bucket”.
Of Skripal, he said on Wednesday: “He’s simply a scumbag, that’s all.”Of Skripal, he said on Wednesday: “He’s simply a scumbag, that’s all.”
After the poisoning of the Skripals, a woman died after, according to British police, she came into contact with the poison, which her partner found in a discarded perfume bottle. The novichok poison used was one of a number developed in the late Soviet Union. Following the poisoning of the Skripals, a woman died after she came into contact with the poison, which her partner found in a discarded perfume bottle, according to British police. The novichok used was one of a number of nerve agents developed in the Soviet Union.
Putin’s remarks seemed intentionally provocative and insensitive, though not out of character for a president who has faced off with the West repeatedly during his 18 years in power.  Putin’s remarks seemed intentionally provocative and insensitive, though not out of character for a president who has faced off against the west repeatedly during his 18 years in power.
Addressing the death of the woman, Dawn Burgess, he said: “You want to tell me that we also poisoned some homeless person? What is this nonsense?” Addressing the death of the woman, Dawn Sturgess, he said: “You want to tell me that we also poisoned some homeless person? What is this nonsense?”
It coincided with the final day of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, and came just hours after Theresa May pointed to her tough response on the Salisbury poisoning as a sign of her resolve to push back against Russia. It coincided with the final day of the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, and came hours after Theresa May pointed to her tough response to the Salisbury poisoning as a sign of her resolve to push back against Russia.
Attention has focused on two Russian men who British prosecutors say were intelligence agents sent to kill Skripal.Attention has focused on two Russian men who British prosecutors say were intelligence agents sent to kill Skripal.
Investigative journalists say they have identified one of the two men as Col Anatoliy Chepiga, a military intelligence officer who strongly resembles one of the two suspects. British police had earlier said the two men traveled under aliases. Investigative journalists claim they have identified one of the two men as Col Anatoliy Chepiga, a military intelligence officer who strongly resembles one of the two suspects. British police had earlier said the two men travelled under aliases.
The Kremlin has said it will not help secure an interview with the suspects or discuss speculation on their identity, despite the fact that Putin had originally called on them to come forward and protest their innocence on television. The Kremlin has said it will not help secure an interview with the suspects or discuss speculation as to their identities, despite the fact that Putin had originally called on them to come forward and protest their innocence on television.
Putin’s remarks on Wednesday appeared aimed at returning the discussion to the Skripals, and away from the suspects. Putin’s remarks on Wednesday appeared aimed at returning the discussion to the Skripals and moving it away from the suspects.
The UK and its allies kicked out more than 150 Russian diplomats as a result of the poisoning. Of the political fallout, Putin said on Wednesday: “I think it will pass. The sooner, the better.” The UK and its allies expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats as a result of the poisoning. Of the political fallout, Putin said on Wednesday: “I think it will pass. The sooner, the better.”
Sergei SkripalSergei Skripal
Novichok poisonings
RussiaRussia
Vladimir PutinVladimir Putin
EuropeEurope
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