'We stand shoulder to shoulder with the British people': World leaders back the UK as the clock ticks on the deadline for Putin explain how the Russian-made nerve agent Novichok was used or face the consequences...
Leaders across the world today pledged to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with Britain after Theresa May blamed Russia for the poison attack on a former spy on UK soil.
Theresa May has held talks with world leaders to lay the groundwork for sanctions if the Kremlin fails to come up with an explanation as to how the nerve agent Novichok was used.
She held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron last night who condemned the attack and 'offered his solidarity' with the UK.
And Donald Trump - who is speaking to the PM later today - backed Mrs May saying the US 'will condemn Russia' if they agree Moscow is behind the attack.
'It must be made clear that an attack against one EU & NATO country is an attack on all of us.'
Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House: 'Well it sounds to me, I'm speaking to Theresa May today. It sounds to me like it would be Russia based on all of the evidence they have.
'I don't know if they've come to a conclusion, but she's calling me today.'
He added: 'Theresa May is going to be speaking to me today. It sounds to me like they believe it was Russia and I would certainly take that finding as fact.'
Mr Trump added: 'As soon as we get the facts straight and we are going to be speaking with the British today, we're speaking with Theresa May today, and as soon as we get the facts straight, if we agree with them, we will condemn Russia or whoever it may be.
'But I have not spoken to her, I'll speak to her sometime today.'
It comes as the clock is ticking on the midnight deadline Mrs May has given for the Russians to explain how their nerve agent was used in an attempted murder on the sleepy streets of Salisbury.
British officials are drawing up a plan to hit back hard at Russia if - as expected - they do not have an explanation.
The Government is expected to draw up a list of tough sanctions that will target the Kremlin and Putin's cronies, freezing assets and stopping them from travelling to the UK .
They are also expected to expel many of Russia's diplomats - although probably not break off diplomatic relations altogether - with the country.
British officials and the Royal family are expected to boycott the football world cup in Russia later this year.
But Britain will need to get support from the country's UN and Nato allies in order to impose sanctions that will really bite and be felt by the Kremlin.
The PM yesterday dramatically pointed the finger at Putin for the poison attack saying it was'highly likely' it was ordered by the country.
The Prime Minister said the facts increasingly suggested Russia was behind the apparent 'hit' on double-agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.
Branding the attack a 'reckless and despicable act', Mrs May said the substance used was a 'military grade' agent Moscow has produced.
Mrs May said the government would not accept such an attempt to 'murder innocent civilians on our soil'.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said allies are mobilising to support the UK and hit back at Russia.
Speaking today he said: 'I've been very encouraged so far by the strength of the support that we are getting.
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