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Russian anger over Boris Johnson's decision to cancel Moscow trip Russian anger over Boris Johnson's decision to cancel Moscow trip
(35 minutes later)
Russia has hit out at Boris Johnson's decision to scrap a planned trip to Moscow after discussions with America.Russia has hit out at Boris Johnson's decision to scrap a planned trip to Moscow after discussions with America.
The moved showed the UK has no "real influence" over world events, Russia's foreign ministry said. The move showed the UK has no "real influence" over world events, Russia's foreign ministry said.
Mr Johnson said events in Syria had "changed the situation fundamentally" and he would be going to G7 talks.Mr Johnson said events in Syria had "changed the situation fundamentally" and he would be going to G7 talks.
The UK deplored "Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians," he added.The UK deplored "Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians," he added.
The foreign secretary said: "We call on Russia to do everything possible to bring about a political settlement in Syria and work with the rest of the international community to ensure that the shocking events of the last week are never repeated."The foreign secretary said: "We call on Russia to do everything possible to bring about a political settlement in Syria and work with the rest of the international community to ensure that the shocking events of the last week are never repeated."
Rather than travelling to Moscow to meet Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, he will now be travelling to Lucca, in Tuscany, for a G7 meeting, where he will call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to pull his troops from Syria.Rather than travelling to Moscow to meet Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, he will now be travelling to Lucca, in Tuscany, for a G7 meeting, where he will call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to pull his troops from Syria.
His Russian visit, which would have been the first by a UK foreign secretary in five years, was cancelled after discussions with the US, which is sending which is sending Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Moscow to deliver a "clear and co-ordinated" message to the Kremlin. His Russian visit, which would have been the first by a UK foreign secretary in five years, was cancelled after discussions with the US, which is sending Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Moscow to deliver a "clear and co-ordinated" message to the Kremlin.
In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said: "During Johnson's visit to Moscow there were plans to hold open and exhaustive talks on the entire spectrum of international problems, and also to discuss the state of Russo-British relations, which have, in essence, been forced into a dead end by the UK.In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said: "During Johnson's visit to Moscow there were plans to hold open and exhaustive talks on the entire spectrum of international problems, and also to discuss the state of Russo-British relations, which have, in essence, been forced into a dead end by the UK.
"The decision to call off Johnson's visit to Moscow confirms once again doubts in the presence of added value in speaking to the UK, which does not have its own position on the majority of present-day issues, nor does it have real influence on the course of international affairs, as it remains 'in the shadow' of its strategic partners." "The decision to call off Johnson's visit to Moscow confirms once again doubts in the presence of added value in speaking to the UK, which does not have its own position on the majority of present-day issues, nor does it have real influence on the course of international affairs, as it remains 'in the shadow' of its strategic partners.
"We do not feel that we need dialogue with London any more than it does."
The Russian statement added that Mr Johnson's plan to "discuss Russian support for the Assad regime" with G7 partners showed a "fundamental misunderstanding or ignorance of what is happening in Syria, Russia's efforts to settle this crisis, and the purpose of diplomacy in general".The Russian statement added that Mr Johnson's plan to "discuss Russian support for the Assad regime" with G7 partners showed a "fundamental misunderstanding or ignorance of what is happening in Syria, Russia's efforts to settle this crisis, and the purpose of diplomacy in general".
The SNP's Foreign Affairs spokesman Alex Salmond joined in with the criticism of the foreign secretary on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, saying: "Boris Johnson just looks daft.The SNP's Foreign Affairs spokesman Alex Salmond joined in with the criticism of the foreign secretary on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, saying: "Boris Johnson just looks daft.
"What is the argument for not going ahead with a visit?"What is the argument for not going ahead with a visit?
"Rex Tillerson is going on Wednesday so it can't be that we have moved to a Cold War position of no talking whatsoever."Rex Tillerson is going on Wednesday so it can't be that we have moved to a Cold War position of no talking whatsoever.
"And the idea that the foreign secretary can't be trusted because he might pursue his own line or have an independent thought or cross over what the Americans might say makes him look like some kind of 'mini-me' to the USA and that's not a position that any foreign secretary would want to be in.""And the idea that the foreign secretary can't be trusted because he might pursue his own line or have an independent thought or cross over what the Americans might say makes him look like some kind of 'mini-me' to the USA and that's not a position that any foreign secretary would want to be in."
Labour's Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told Sky News the foreign secretary "should be in Moscow now… saying to the Russians just how appalling the situation is and the role they should play".Labour's Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told Sky News the foreign secretary "should be in Moscow now… saying to the Russians just how appalling the situation is and the role they should play".
He added: "We've got to be frank with them and we shouldn't just allow the Americans to go off and do that. We should be doing that ourselves."He added: "We've got to be frank with them and we shouldn't just allow the Americans to go off and do that. We should be doing that ourselves."
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron claimed Mr Johnson was considered a diplomatic liability.Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron claimed Mr Johnson was considered a diplomatic liability.
"Boris has revealed himself to be a poodle of Washington, having his diary managed from across the pond," said Mr Farron."Boris has revealed himself to be a poodle of Washington, having his diary managed from across the pond," said Mr Farron.
"It is pretty shameful when even Trump judges you to be a buffoon.""It is pretty shameful when even Trump judges you to be a buffoon."
An aide to Mr Johnson said: "It is a shame the Lib Dems would rather snipe and be silly when the US and UK are trying to work on a plan to help the innocent people of Syria and stop a devastating civil war."An aide to Mr Johnson said: "It is a shame the Lib Dems would rather snipe and be silly when the US and UK are trying to work on a plan to help the innocent people of Syria and stop a devastating civil war."
Mr Johnson's position was defended by International Development Secretary Priti Patel, who said the UK was working with the US and international partners on a coordinated response in the wake of US missile attacks on Syria.Mr Johnson's position was defended by International Development Secretary Priti Patel, who said the UK was working with the US and international partners on a coordinated response in the wake of US missile attacks on Syria.
She told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "This isn't just about one voice.She told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "This isn't just about one voice.
"This is about the international community coming together and our foreign secretary is working with his American counterpart as that is the right thing to do.""This is about the international community coming together and our foreign secretary is working with his American counterpart as that is the right thing to do."
Mr Johnson's visit to Moscow would have been the first by a UK foreign secretary for five years, but he said events in Syria had changed the situation. In January, Mr Johnson said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should be allowed to run for election to remain in power and warned that Britain may have to "think afresh" about how to handle the crisis after failing to live up to its long-held position that the dictator must go.
"We deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians," he added.
In January, Mr Johnson said Syrian President Bashar Assad should be allowed to run for election to remain in power and warned that Britain may have to "think afresh" about how to handle the crisis after failing to live up to its long-held position that the dictator must go.
But sources insisted he has always believed Assad cannot remain in power.But sources insisted he has always believed Assad cannot remain in power.
It comes as UK Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said Russia was to blame for "every civilian death" in the chemical weapons attack last week in Syria.It comes as UK Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said Russia was to blame for "every civilian death" in the chemical weapons attack last week in Syria.
Sir Michael, writing in the Sunday Times, said the Kremlin was responsible "by proxy" as the "principal backer" of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.Sir Michael, writing in the Sunday Times, said the Kremlin was responsible "by proxy" as the "principal backer" of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.