The Syrian chemical attacks have shaken the world with Assad being blamed for them. It is most likely that this is the case but with Russia backing the Syrian regime and the US launching airstrikes on them, the UK stance has little weight behind it. The UN have ordered an investigation into the attacks to discover what happened but there is little chance of finding anything because Assad’s regime is supported and sponsored by Russia.

Boris Johnson has reacted by cancelling his visit to Moscow stating that it was his priority to bring about a ceasefire through international support adding “we deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime."

The UK’s protest

Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State, will visit Moscow after the G7 summit meetings on 10th-11th April.

Johnson himself has said he has been in contact with the US and others to organise and coordinate support for an international ceasefire by working on bringing together like-minded people. But at this stage with the missile strikes already taking place by the US and the UK occupied by negotiations with the EU, the weight of the UK’s opinion seems to be dwindling significantly.

Boris Johnson’s cancelling of the visit is seen as more of a protest stance rather than any form of meaningful tactic in terms of diplomacy. In response, the UK based Russian Embassy tweeted:

The Russian Foreign Ministry believe the “pretext” used by Johnson is “absurd.” This reaction by the UK isn’t seen as anything significant with Russia openly mocking Johnson.