Former spy poisoning: Donald Trump demands answers as Russia ignores Britain’s deadline

US President Donald Trump demanded an explanation from Moscow over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain as London’s deadline for answers expired, with Russia threatening retribution if it is punished for the Cold War intrigue.

Moscow has slammed the accusations that it was behind the attempted murder of a double agent, defying the midnight Tuesday (00:00 GMT) ultimatum set by Britain to explain how a Soviet-designed nerve-agent found its way onto British



streets.

The attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4 sparked a deepening diplomatic row that pits Russia against Britain and its allies the United States, NATO and the European Union.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, who will outline London’s response to the escalating crisis on Wednesday, has pointed the finger at Moscow, which she said was “highly likely” to be responsible.