UO joins Britain in blaming Russia for Oyrian tragedy
US SECRETARY of State Rex Tillerson joined Britain in blaming Russia for the horrific deaths of innocent Syrians in a chemical attack as he prepares to visit Moscow for talks.
The federation is facing the threat of fresh international sanctions over its support for the Syrian regime.
It comes amid reports Russia, Iran and its allies said the US had crossed a “red line” and warned they “will respond to any aggression” in the future.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson pulled out of planned talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov after discussions with the US, prompting claims he was Washington’s poodle.
Mr Tillerson will go ahead with his visit to deliver a “clear and coordinated” message to the Kremlin.
A government source said: “The important thing is that this is Britain helping to influence US policy on Syria and Russia, far from being a poodle, three months ago Syria wasn’t really an issue for them but our push and recent events have made a difference.”
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said Russia is responsible for “every civilian death” in the Syrian chemical weapons attack, claiming Vladimir Putin was to blame “by proxy” as the Syrian president’s “principal backer”.
Mr Tillerson echoed the comments, telling Face The Nation on CBS, the Russians “have played now for some time the role of providing cover for Bashar Assad’s behaviour”. Russia’s failures to rid Syria of weapons stockpiles “has led to the killing of more children and innocents”, he said.
But asked about the possibility of further intervention, the Secretary of State said Washington’s “first priority” in Syria is to defeat Islamic State (IS), also known as Daesh.
Some 87 people, including children, are believed to have been killed in a suspected sarin nerve agent strike on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun. US president Donald Trump ordered a strike on the base in America’s first direct attack against the Syrian government.