Diplomats gather for an emergency UN Security Council meeting today (Picture: EPA)

Boris Johnson accused Russia of ‘holding the Syrian people to ransom’ after it blocked an investigation into a suspected poison gas attack.

Dozens were killed in the suspected chemical attack on Saturday, some of them young children. Photos from Douma, a rebel-held town near Damascus, showed toddlers in oxygen masks struggling to breathe and foaming at the mouth.

An emergency meeting of the UN security council was held today to try to agree on action against Bashar Assad, who is accused of being responsible.

Members voted on a motion to condemn the attack and begin an independent investigation into who was behind it.




Out of 15 counties, only Russia and Bolivia voted ‘no’ while China abstained.

Hugely disappointing that Russia vetoed the proposal at the UN for an independent investigation into Syrian chemical attacks. Russia is holding the Syrian people to political ransom by supporting a regime responsible for at least 4 heinous chemical attacks against its people — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 10, 2018

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the United States of wanting the resolution to fail ‘to justify the use of force against Syria.’

Donald Trump has said military action is on the table, calling Assad an ‘animal’. He has been in discussion with the UK and France about strikes in retaliation.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States ‘went the extra mile’ to get Russian support for the UN resolution to ensure that a new investigative body would be impartial, independent and professional.

Russia put forward an alternative resolution, but Ms Haley said it would not lead to an impartial investigation.

Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 8, 2018

Tensions are rising sharply over the situation in Syria, with Moscow warning of ‘grave consequences’ if the US hurts Russian citizens ‘deliberately or otherwise’. Russian military officers are present in Syria.

Russian general Valery Gerasimov warned earlier that Russia will fire back if the US attacks Syrian government facilities.

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev says that Russia and the United States are on the verge of a confrontation.

Gorbachev expressed ‘great concern’ on Tuesday over the mounting tensions over Syria.

He said he is confident that ‘no one wants a war,’ but added that ‘such incidents could result in a huge disaster in the current tense environment.’

Earlier today, French President Emmanuel Macron says France will decide in the coming days with the US and Britain how to respond to the suspected chemical weapons attack.

Macron said Tuesday he wants a ‘strong and joint response’ to the attack, which Syrian activists and rescuers say killed 40 people.