UK in talks about ways to up pressure on backers of Syrian government: PM May’s spokesman

"We are in discussions with our key partners on how we can bring further pressure to bear on the regime and those who are backing it, which includes the Russians."

By: Reuters
London | April 10, 2017 10:43 PM IST

1 min read

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British Prime Minister Theresa May answers a question from the media during the final press briefing at the EU Summit in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 21, 2016. Britain’s prime minister vowed on Thursday that the U.K. would continue to exert it full rights in the workings of the European Union until it leaves the 28-nation bloc. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Britain is in discussions with international partners on how it can put more pressure on the Syrian government and its supporters, including Russia, Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said on Monday. The comments come as foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major industrialised nations met on Monday for an annual gathering which is expected to be dominated by questions over U.S. and Russian involvement in Syria after a poison gas attack which killed more than 70 people last week.

Asked about the possibility of additional sanctions on Russia, the spokesman said: “We are in discussions with our key partners on how we can bring further pressure to bear on the regime and those who are backing it, which includes the Russians.” He also said that May spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday evening to discuss the situation in Syria, and the pair agreed on the need to build support for a political solution to end the conflict.