MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed on Sunday British accusations of Russia’s involvement in an ex-spy’s poisoning as “nonsense,” but added that Moscow is ready to cooperate with London in the investigation. Vladimir Chizhov, Moscow’s EU ambassador, said Russia has no chemical weapons stockpiles and was not behind the poisoning. Chizhov pointed out that the United Kingdom chemical weapons research facility, Porton Down, is only eight miles (12 kilometers) from Salisbury. Western powers see the poisoning of the Skripals as the latest sign of increasingly aggressive Russian interference in foreign countries. Critics said UK authorities have been slow to investigate the origins of the wealth invested in London’s financial district and property market.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 19, 2018 00:11 UTC