U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley slammed the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy in Britain as an "atrocious crime" Wednesday, saying Russia had to be held accountable to ensure the credibility of the U.N. Security Council.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May ordered the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, a halt to meetings with top Russian officials and the cancellation of an upcoming visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in retaliation for the March 4 nerve agent attack in Salisbury on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia.
According to CNN, the two are critically ill in the hospital after their exposure to the agent, known as Novichok and developed in Russia. A police officer who first arrived at the scene is also hospitalized in serious condition.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting, Haley agreed with the conclusion by British investigators that the Russian Federation bore responsibility for the attack.
"The United States believes that Russia is responsible for the attack on two people in the United Kingdom, using a military-grade nerve agent. Dozens of civilians and first responders were also exposed," Haley said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this atrocious crime."
Haley went on to say the assassination attempt was part of an "alarming increase in the use of chemical weapons," citing recent deployments of them by North Korea and Syria.
"A growing concern in all of this dangerous and destabilizing activity is Russia," Haley said. "Russia failed to ensure Syria destroyed its chemical weapons program. Russia killed the joint investigative mechanism when it found [Bashar] Assad liable for chemical attacks. Russia used its veto to shield Assad five times last year."
Haley said the Russians have recently complained about being criticized too much, suggesting the criticism would cease if the Russians didn't use chemical weapons to assassinate their enemies or gave aid to Assad in his war against his own people.
"We take no pleasure in having to constantly criticize Russia, but we need Russia to stop giving us so many reasons to do so," she said. "Russia must fully cooperate with the U.K.'s investigation and come clean about its own chemical weapons program."
Noting Russia was a permanent member of the council, Haley said it "must account for its actions."
"If we don't take immediate, concrete measures to address this now, Salisbury will not be the last place we see chemical weapons used," she said. "They could be used here in New York or in cities of any country that sits on this council. This is a defining moment.
"Time and time again, member states say they oppose the use of chemical weapons under any circumstance. Now one member stands accused of using chemical weapons on the sovereign soil of another member. The credibility of this council will not survive if we fail to hold Russia accountable."