Putin says he is very happy Skripal is recovering
Russian President Vladimir Putin wished good health to Sergei Skripal, who has been discharged from the hospital, but believes that if a poisonous substance had been used against his person, Skripal would have died on the spot.
“I think that if, as our British colleagues claim, a weapons-grade poison had been used, that person would be dead on the spot. Combat chemicals are so strong that the person either dies immediately or within seconds, maybe minutes," Putin said at a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Sochi on Friday.
Commenting on Skripal’s discharge from the hospital, Putin said: "I heard about it. God give him health, we are very happy."
"Thank God, he recovered [and] left the hospital, and I hope he will be alive and well and unharmed," the President added.
Sergei Skripal’s discharge from the hospital was made public information earlier.
Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned in the UK on March 4, 2018. According to the investigation, a nerve agent was used against them. Skripal and his daughter fell into a coma. Traces of a dangerous substance called "Novichok” were found in their blood.