Russia's envoy seems to giggle when questioned about Dawn Sturgess's death and brushes off the question.

The family of Dawn Sturgess, who died six years ago after contact with Novichok, has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to speak at an inquiry following her death in the Salisbury poisonings. The Russian ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, questioned the need for an inquiry and rejected suggestions that Petrov or Borishov should attend.

Kelin also dismissed suggestions that the men had already given answers on TV, referring to a 2018 interview they gave on Russian state TV. UK officials called the interview "risible." Kelin also dismissed allegations that the UK, US, France, Germany, and Canada all believe the attack was carried out by Russia with Novichok manufactured in Russia.

When asked to respond to the Sturgess family, the ambassador appeared to laugh, stating that he had never met the family and was concerned about the death of someone.

The UK has accused Russia of "waging war" on Ukraine by supporting the country with weapons and resources. Ukrainian President Zelensky has published a victory plan to bring the conflict to an end next year, including a formal request to join NATO and lifting bans on long-range strikes with Western-supplied weapons deep into Russia.


The ambassador argues that Zelensky does not want peace and continues to ask for more NATO, EU assistance, and defense packages. Kyiv, backed by its allies, has always rejected any suggestions of negotiation after the Russian invasion, believing it would mean the permanent loss of Ukrainian territory. Western governments believe that Putin is under rising pressure at home, with increasing casualties and the huge cost of the war.


However, Kelin claims Russia is living "absolutely normal life" and that the war could stop if the West stopped supplying arms to Ukraine. Keir Starmer reiterated his support for Ukraine, stating that the only acceptable outcome is a sovereign Ukraine and a just peace. Russia is also getting weaker, with the war soaking up 40% of its budget and the government believing there are more than 600,000 dead or wounded Russians.