MOSCOW. March 15 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has described London's allegations that Russia was involved in the poisoning of former Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) colonel Sergei Skripal as impudent and baseless.
"Our representative, Vasily Nebenzya, has spelled out our position in New York; he has given a polite and substantiated response to the absolutely impudent, unfounded, and baseless accusations against us. He proposed that a document be adopted for holding an inquiry based on the Chemical Weapons Convention," Lavrov said at the "Russia - Country of Opportunity" forum on Thursday.
"The British representative blocked our proposal. You can see for yourself what is motivating the Brits and the Americans, who strongly support them," Lavrov said.
"The Europeans [have been acting] in a more reserved manner, but even they are being forced into what's called 'NATO solidarity'," Lavrov said.
The Skripal case "is a manifestation of the incumbent British government's despair, above all," he said.
"Especially since they have been unable to keep the promises they gave to their people in connection with the exit from the European Union," Lavrov said.