Spy poisoning in UK is 'unacceptable attack': French FM

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS (AA) - France on Tuesday condemned the "totally unacceptable” nerve gas attack on an ex-Russian spy in the U.K., an attack British officials said Russia was “highly likely” behind.

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed the issue on the phone with his British counterpart Boris Johnson, France’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Le Drian "expressed France's solidarity with the United Kingdom," adding: "The attempted assassination of two Russian nationals on March 4 in Salisbury with the use of a military-grade nerve agent is a totally unacceptable attack."

"We have full confidence in the U.K. investigation so those responsible are quickly determined," said the statement.

Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were admitted to a hospital after being found unconscious on March 4 in the southern English city of Salisbury.

Skripal was granted refuge in the UK following a 2010 spy exchange between the U.S. and Russia. Convicted by a Moscow military court of "high treason" after admitting to leaking to British intelligence, he had been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday said Russia was “highly likely” to be behind the attack.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier Tuesday that Moscow would not respond to London's request to explain Russia's alleged role in the poisoning unless it is allowed access to the case materials.