The UK advocates new sanctions against Russia over Syria

The UK intends to push Western nations towards imposition of new sanctions on Russia unless the latter ceases to support the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he would urge Western nations to draw up “serious punitive measures” in response to a gas attack in Syria which killed about 90 people, British newspaper The Times reported on April 10.

According to the newspaper, Johnson prepared the document on the introduction of new sanctions for a meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7), to be held in the Italian Lucca on April 10-11. Following the meeting, the G7 is to adopt a joint declaration calling on Russia to withdraw its troops from Syria and stop supporting Assad, according to the head of the British Foreign Office.

The minister said the US missile strike on a Syrian military base was “a clear and coordinated message” sent by the West in response to the gas attack. “In principle, they can do it again,” Johnson remarked.