1st LD: EU leaders say "highly likely" Russia responsible for ex-spy poisoning: Tusk

BRUSSELS, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Following a time-consuming dinner discussion, leaders of the European Union(EU)on Thursday gave credence to Britain's allegation that "highly likely" Russia is responsible for the poisoning of a former spy on British soil, in which Moscow has denied any involvement.

"EUCO (European Council) agrees with UK government that highly likely Russia is responsible for #SalisburyAttack and that there is no other plausible explanation," tweeted European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday evening.

Earlier on Thursday, after British Prime Minister Theresa May met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in the margin of the EU summit in Brussels, a spokesperson of Downing 10 claimed that "The UK, Germany and France reaffirmed that there is no plausible explanation other than that the Russian state was responsible."

The three leaders also agreed on "the importance of sending a strong European message in response to Russia's actions and agreed to remain in close contact in coming days," said the spokesperson.

Tasked with wooing support from her European counterparts, May told reporters upon her arrival at the summit that "Russia staged a brazen and reckless attack against the United Kingdom when it attempted the murder of two people on the streets of Salisbury."

Foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) on Monday said in a statement that the 28-member bloc "strongly condemns the attack" and "expresses its unqualified solidarity with the UK and its support, including for the UK's efforts to bring those responsible for this crime to justice."

Former Russian double agent Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found unconscious on a bench outside a shopping center in Britain's southwestern city of Salisbury on March 4. They remain in critical condition in hospital.

Britain claimed the pair were exposed to a nerve agent and holds Russia responsible. The Russian government has denied any role in the incident.

Following the incident, Britain expelled 23 Russian diplomats and announced freezing of Russian state assets in Britain, suspension of all planned high-level bilateral contacts, and a boycott of this year's World Cup in Russia by ministers and royal family members.

Moscow expelled an equal number of British diplomats in response. Enditem