UK says patience wearing thin on Putin

The world's patience is wearing thin with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the poisoning of a former Russian spy, Britain's defence secretary says.

The British Defence Secretary says patience is wearing thin with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The British Defence Secretary says patience is wearing thin with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Source: AAP

British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson says the world is united behind Britain's stance over the poisoning of a former Russian spy and that patience is wearing thin with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Britain has blamed Russia for the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia with a military-grade Soviet-era nerve agent on March 4, winning the support of NATO and European leaders.

The Kremlin has denied any involvement and says Britain is orchestrating an anti-Russia campaign.

During a visit to Estonia, Williamson said the backing for Britain was in "itself a defeat for President Putin".

"The world's patience is rather wearing thin with President Putin and his actions, and the fact that right across the NATO alliance, right across the European Union, nations have stood up in support of the United Kingdom ... I actually think that is the very best response that we could have," he told reporters on Monday.

"Their (the Kremlin's) intention, their aim is to divide and what we are seeing is the world uniting behind the British stance and that in itself is a great victory and sends an exceptionally powerful message to the Kremlin and President Putin."

European Union member states agreed on Friday to take additional punitive measures against Russia over the attack on Skripal, found slumped on a bench with his daughter in the southern English city of Salisbury.

US President Donald Trump is also considering the expulsion of some Russian diplomats, a source familiar with the situation said on Sunday.


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