Lucca, Italy: G7 rejects UK proposal for sanctions against Russia and Syria

The proposal by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to impose sanctions against senior Russian and Syrian officials was rejected by other G7 ministers, writes Patria.

They emphasized that any move must be preceded by an investigation into the chemical attack.

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano stated that there is no consensus in favor of new sanctions against Russia. He added that isolating Russia or cornering it "would be wrong".

The British Guardian writes that the G7 blames the Assad regime's military forces for last week's fatal chemical attack, and that ministers expressed strong support for the US military response that targeted a Syrian airbase believed to be the base for the chemical attack.

Alfano believes that the American intervention has created "an opportunity to build new positive conditions for a political process in Syria".

His words masked divisions within the G7 on how to approach the problem of Syria and Moscow.

A Guardian source states that Tillerson will travel to Russia on Tuesday with a clear message: "Russia can work with us and fight terrorism, or continue on the path of isolation alone."

However, other G7 members are promoting a more conciliatory approach. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel believes that Russia and Assad's ally Iran must be involved in the peace process to end the six-year war in Syria.

Gabriel added that America "sent a clear signal to the Assad regime" by firing missiles at a Syrian base, but that other nations should approach Russia instead of contributing to military escalation.

- Some may not like it, but there is no solution for Syria without Moscow and Tehran, Gabriel explains.

Western countries have been calling for Assad's resignation since 2011, since the beginning of the war in which at least 400,000 people have died, creating the world's worst refugee crisis.

Reuters writes that Assad has significantly strengthened on the ground since Russia entered the war in 2015 in support of his regime. The US and its allies have been conducting airstrikes in Syria against ISIL, but until last week, Washington had avoided targeting Assad's forces.