Britain’s response to Russia is too weak

The decision of the US State Department to order fresh sanctions against Russia over the Novichok poison attack in Salisbury is welcome. Bizarrely, however, it actually leaves Britain doing less than the Americans because our sanctions are governed by the EU. Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, thanked America “for standing firm with us on this”. Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, said it demonstrated that Russia’s “reckless, callous and provocative act will not go unchallenged by the international community”. We are talking tough but expecting someone else to do the heavy lifting. How can that possibly be right?

The new American sanctions are peculiar for another reason. They are a statutory requirement once the State Department has determined a nation’s complicity in chemical weapons abuse under international protocols. Nevertheless, President Trump has been trying in recent months to forge a better relationship with Vladimir Putin. Russia is furious. An initial set of sanctions targets US exports of sensitive national-security related goods, though many of the items it covers have already been banned by previous restrictions. After 90 days, a second wave will take effect unless Moscow provides “reliable assurances” it will no longer use chemical weapons and allows on-site inspections by international observer groups. These sanctions could include downgrading diplomatic relations, suspending the state airline Aeroflot’s ability to fly to the United States and cutting off nearly all exports and imports. The threat has already resulted in a fall in the rouble.

British measures are modest by comparison. New powers to target those who abuse human rights – the so-called Magnitsky Act – will be brought forward and assets frozen where there is evidence that they are used to threaten lives. But since EU financial sanctions already operate against supporters of President Putin – both over the Litvinenko killing and the Crimea annexation – there is limited scope for these to be extended. Furthermore, as President Trump himself pointed out earlier this year when he criticised a new gas pipeline between Germany and Russia, some European countries lack the stomach to confront President Putin more aggressively.

Under the provision of international treaties on the use of chemical weapons, all countries should be taking tougher action against Russia.