Newspapers around the world came down heavily on Russia and President Vladimir Putin over the alleged attempt to poison a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yuliya in Salisbury, England. British daily The Guardian threw its support behind Theresa May saying that the British prime minister made a compelling case for Kremlin culpability and such a reckless, hostile act by another state requires a robust response.

“One possible motive for the attack was to provoke a diplomatic row with the UK. The Kremlin has a long-standing policy of testing western governments’ readiness to tolerate projections of Russian power overseas. An international spat can also whip up patriotic fervour in President Vladimir Putin’s domestic audience, since he is seeking re-election,” the paper said in an editorial, adding that May’s measured retaliatory response is unlikely to persuade Putin to change his foreign policy.

The New York Times said Putin had faced no backlash for more bolder actions than the Salisbury nerve gas poisoning, like the attacks by Russian forces in Ukraine and Syria. The Russian president must not be encouraged to think he will be unchecked, it added.

In an editorial, the paper said: “The trouble is that Russia probably doesn’t much worry about diplomatic expulsions, and British sanctions would add little to the broad range of Western sanctions already in place over the annexation of Crimea. Yet if Russia’s message is that no “traitor” is safe anywhere, it should be in the interest of every nation to send an indelible message to Putin that he cannot deploy his weapons of war anywhere he wants.”

The Globe and Mail said Russia does not respect the sovereignty of its neighbours, regardless of foreign scolding. So the West should aim at where Putin’s vulnerable spot – Kremlin corruption.

“London happens to be a playpen for Kremlin-connected oligarchs who launder their ill-gotten billions through lavish real-estate holdings and other baubles…Freezing their assets and imposing a visa ban on them, as Magnitsky-style laws do, would hit Putin where it hurts. Britain should quickly draw up the necessary legislation,” the Canadian paper wrote.

The Hindu said although the available evidence points to a Russian role, it is possible that a rogue actor could have carried out the nerve gas attack. “It is because the so-called free world cherishes the rule of law and reason, that a thorough investigation into Russia’s role in the attack is done before punitive action beyond that already instituted are considered. It is in the UK’s interests in terms of security, support and goodwill, if firm and resolute action — that is the need of the hour — is thoroughly backed by reason and evidence,” the Indian paper’s editorial said.

The Age wondered whether it is the start of a new Cold War. “As Vladimir Putin seeks re-election to the Russian presidency, the incident will probably play well for him with an electorate that likes leaders who act tough. Putin is also an arch-manipulator on the world stage, and the event may suit him well.

“As he confronts and seeks to dismantle the obstacles to Russia’s ancient westward territorial ambitions, the attempted murders in London and their aftermath will test how effective Britain, its Cold War I adversary, can be these days,” the Australian paper said in an editorial.