The president says Russia has again reconfirmed its disdainful attitude to the sovereignty of independent states and the value of human life.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has stated that Ukraine expels 13 Russian diplomats due to the poisoning of former Russian intelligence agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury (UK).

Read alsoEU recalls envoy from Russia, blames Moscow for spy poisoning in UK"In response to cynical chemical attack in Salisbury (the United Kingdom) and in the spirit of solidarity with our British partners and transatlantic allies as well as in coordination with the EU Member States Ukraine has decided to expel 13 Russian diplomats out of those few who still remain in Ukraine. It is well known that our diplomatic relations have been de-facto frozen," the head of state wrote on Facebook on March 26.

Poroshenko states that Russia has again reconfirmed its disdainful attitude to the sovereignty of independent states and the value of human life.

"Ukraine experiences it every day in the occupied Ukrainian Crimea and in Donbas. Therefore, as never before it is important not to limit the response with symbolic gestures. As the next step we must increase the price for Moscow for committed international crimes, including by strengthening individual, financial and economic sanctions," Poroshenko added.

The head of state stressed that the common response to the Kremlin should be decisive and tough with a view to preventing new human tragedies and ensuring respect for the norms of the international law.