Russia warns ‘ruining World Cup’ could be motive in spy poison attack

Mr Lavrov said that it could no way be assumed that Moscow was responsible for the poisoning of Mr Skripal, who along with his daughter Yulia, remain critically ill in hospital. 

The FIFA World Cup will be held throughout Russia between June 14 and July 15, with England one of the 32 competing teams. 

Speaking to Russain state news agency TASS, Mr Lavrov bemoaned the “sick and perverted logic of western colleagues”, insisting Russia would have no reason to create problems for itself before the upcoming presidential election, as well as the World Cup in the summer.

He said: “The motive can be found with those, who keep exerting pressure on us and keep looking for new reasons to complicate the organisation of the World Cup.

“If, speaking hypothetically, we take into account this sick and perverted logic of western colleagues – who would in common sense assume that Russia shortly before the presidential election and shortly before the World Cup would suddenly decide to create problems for itself? 

“There is no motive at all.”

Mr Lavrov’s comments come after Prime Minister Theresa May accused Russia of being involved in Mr Skripal’s poisoning, describing the incident as Russia’s “indiscriminate” and “reckless” attack against the UK. 

The Kremlin has denied involvement. 

Yesterday, Mrs May announced the UK is expelling 23 Russian diplomats who have been told to leave the country within a week.

The Prime Minister also said that no members of the UK Government or the Royal Family will attend the World Cup in Russia. 

Mr Skripal and his daughter were found slumped on a bench in Salisbury town centre on March 4 after being poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent developed by Russia. 

Investigations are continuing around how the poison was administered and who exactly is responsible.