Diplomacy: the assassinations of spies, the poison of Russian-British relations

The grave of the ex-Russian spy in exile Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned in the United Kingdom in 2006. AFP - NIKLAS HALLE'N

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1 min

This Tuesday, September 21, the European Court of Human Rights found Russia "responsible" for the assassination of ex-spy in exile Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned with polonium-210 in the United Kingdom in 2006. At the same time time, British police announced the indictment of a third Russian intelligence agent in the investigation into the attempted poisoning of another former Russian agent, Sergei Skripal.

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From our correspondent in Moscow,

Anissa El Jabri

In either case, the Kremlin denies any involvement, but it was only in the Litvinenko affair that Russia reacted.

"Unfounded decision

 " which contributes to maintaining a climate of Russophobia.

This has been the classic reaction of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

A decision that has " 

nothing to do with the law 

" is the equally classic reaction of the co-author of the poisoning designated by London and the Europeans.

Andrei Lougovoy is a millionaire, medal of honor and member of the Russian commission of inquiry into the poisoning of Alexei Navalny.

See also: A third Russian intelligence agent indicted in the United Kingdom

This ex-member of the security services is at the starting point of the cooling of relations between the United Kingdom and Russia, almost 15 years ago.

Relations that have continued to deteriorate especially since 2018, and another case of poisoning.

The one that had almost cost the life of the former Russian agent Sergei Skripal. 

Last March, Moscow already judged that its relations with London were “

at a standstill

”.

The UK has since signed a strategic partnership with Ukraine and has clung with the Russian military in the Black Sea.

It was at the end of June with the passage of a British military boat off the Crimea.

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