FX.co ★ UK insists on sanctions against Russia

According to The Times, Britain led the push for further sanctions against Russia in case it continues to back Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

In turn, Russia and Iran said they could respond with force if US attacks continue. According to the Russian embassy in London, if the West lays down an ultimatum to Russia, this could trigger real hostilities.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson spearheaded the drive at a G7 meeting of foreign ministers for punitive measures against Moscow following the chemical weapons attack in Syria that killed almost 90 people.

Boris Johnson claimed that the US missile attack on Syria will ease the suffering of the country after six years of civil war.

He expects the G7 counterparts to make a joint statement on Russia’s end of backing the Assad regime and withdrawing its forces from Syria so that the humanitarian aid convoy could return. In case Russia refuses to do so, Johnson wants new sanctions to be imposed. UK Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon claimed that Russia was to blame for "every civilian death" in the recent chemical weapons attack in Syria.

He works hand in glove with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to push to demand Russia drops its support of the Assad regime. Tillerson said Moscow was responsible "by proxy" as the "principal backer" of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. He said the top priority for Washington is the defeat of ISIS. US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said nothing "is off the table" when it comes to imposing tougher sanctions on Russia.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also indicated a willingness to impose new sanctions targeting Russia in response to its support for Syrian President Bashar Assad.