Brits Win Little EU Support For Russian Battle

Moscow weighs 'targeted' response in clash over spy murder
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 18, 2007 5:13 AM CDT
Brits Win Little EU Support For Russian Battle
Alexander Litvinenko, former KGB spy and author of the book "Blowing Up Russia   (Associated Press)

Britain turned to its European allies for support in its diplomatic battle with Russia over a sensational radiation murder in London, but the response has been tepid, the Guardian reports. Only the French expressed support yesterday, as Germany, with powerful economic ties to Russia, suggested that the UK had overreacted, and the Portuguese characterized the clash as a two-way fight.

The British expelled four Russian diplomats Monday in retaliation for  Moscow's refusal to extradite a suspect in the murder of ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko. Moscow vowed to respond "soon" and said its action would be "targeted and appropriate." Russian officials hinted that the country would seek to isolate Britain from its EU partners. (More Alexander Litvinenko stories.)

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