Slovak foreign ministry summons Russian Ambassador for explanations over spy poisoning

BRATISLAVA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry summoned the Russian Ambassador to Slovakia to seek explanations over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Britain, ministry spokesperson Peter Susko announced on Monday.

Slovakia condemned the attack and has embraced the European Council resolution dated from March 22, in which European Union member states declared their support for Britain in the case.

"The development of the situation, as well as Russia's responses to the call addressed to it by the EU member states -- including Slovakia -- will determine the further steps that we're prepared to entertain in this matter," Susko said.

The United Kingdom has already expelled Russian diplomats from its borders, and another 14 EU member states decided to follow suit, including Germany and France. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats from America and the closure of the Russian consular office in Seattle.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday that Russia "strongly protests" diplomats expulsion by the United States and 14 European countries over an ex-spy case, vowing to retaliate. It said the British authorities took a "prejudiced, biased and hypocritical stance." It denied Russia's involvement in the incident.

On March 4, former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious on a bench in a shopping center in the southern England city of Salisbury. They remain in a critical condition.

Britain claims they were exposed to a nerve agent and holds Russia responsible. The Russian government has denied any involvement in the incident. Moscow insists on direct participation in the investigation into the poisoning.

"Russia firmly insists on a comprehensive investigation of what has happened in Salisbury. We are ready to take a most active part in it," Vladimir Yermakov, head of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said at a briefing for foreign diplomats. Enditem