Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has cancelled a visit to Moscow next week as tensions grow over events in Syria.
It comes after the UK backed US airstrikes on a Syrian airbase where a horrifying chemical attack was allegedly launched.
Russia, an ally of the Assad regime, said the strikes had "completely ruined" the relationship between Moscow and Washington.
Mr Johnson spoke with US secretary of state Rex Tillerson, who is still due to visit Russia, before making his decision.
The Foreign Secretary said: "Developments in Syria have changed the situation fundamentally.
"My priority is now to continue contact with the US and others in the run up to the G7 meeting on 10-11 April - to build coordinated international support for a ceasefire on the ground and an intensified political process.
"I will be working to arrange for other like-minded partners to meet and explore next steps soon too.
"I discussed these plans in detail with Secretary Tillerson. He will visit Moscow as planned and, following the G7 meeting, will be able to deliver that clear and coordinated message to the Russians.
"We deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians.
"We call on Russia to do everything possible to bring about a political settlement in Syria and work with the rest of the international community to ensure that the shocking events of the last week are never repeated."
Many world leaders have praised Donald Trump's move to strike Syria following the chemical attack of Idlib which has been widely blamed on Damascus.
Syrian allies Russia and Iran have both condemned the US airstrikes.
The US ambassador to the UN has said America is "prepared to do more" militarily in Syria but hopes it will not be necessary.
No comments:
Post a Comment