The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Foreign Secretary ‘dismayed’ as Russia vetoes UN resolution
World leaders called for an international probe into deadly chemical attack
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said he is “dismayed” at Russia’s veto of a UN resolution condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria, saying: “This puts Russia on the wrong side of the argument.”
World leaders had called for an international probe into the deadly chemical attack in Khan Sheikhoun last week, which caused an international outcry and prompted a retaliatory US missile strike.
However Russia, an ally of Syria, used its power of veto to block the UN Security Council resolution.
Mr Johnson said it was “highly likely” the Syrian regime was responsible for the toxic gas attack and called on Russia to stop acting “as a lifeline for Assad’s murderous regime”.
He said: “This afternoon in New York, the international community sought to make clear that any use of chemical weapons by anyone anywhere is unacceptable and that those responsible will face consequences.
“So I am dismayed that Russia has once again blocked the UN Security Council and in so doing refused to condemn the use of chemical weapons or support a full UN investigation into the attack.
“This puts Russia on the wrong side of the argument. But it doesn’t have to be this way.”
It comes after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow to discuss the escalating tensions in Syria, where he admitted there were “low levels of trust” between the two nations.
Mr Johnson backed US calls to find a political solution and said the G7 leaders were ready to work with Russia to end the violence in Syria.
He said: “So Russia faces a choice: it can continue acting as a lifeline for Assad’s murderous regime, or it could live up to its responsibilities as a global power, and use its influence over the regime to bring six long years of failed ceasefires and false dawns to an end.
“We stand ready to work together and I will be talking to my G7 partners in the coming days about how we can continue to strive for a political solution that brings an end to the suffering of the Syrian people.”
The resolution, which was drawn up by Britain, France and the United States, was backed by 10 nations, opposed by Russia and Bolivia, while China, Kazakhstan and Ethiopia abstained.
UK ambassador to the United Nations Matthew Rycroft said it was “indefensible” for Russia to continue to support the perpetrators of the attacks in northern Syria.