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Theresa May brands Russia's actions in Syria as 'sickening' Theresa May brands Russia's actions in Syria as 'sickening'
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May has condemned Vladimir Putin's aggression in Syria as Royal Navy vessels monitored Russian warships thought to be heading to reinforce the attack on the besieged city Aleppo. Theresa May has accused Russia of committing "sickening atrocities" during a bombing campaign that has pummelled the Syrian city of Aleppo.
The Prime Minister accused Moscow of being behind “sickening atrocities” in support of Bashar Assad's regime. The Prime Minister made her comments as she arrived for her first European summit, demanding EU leaders take a firm line with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Her comments came as a Russian taskforce, including the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, was being shadowed by the Royal Navy as it headed towards the eastern Mediterranean. It also comes as a Russian naval taskforce, including the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, was being shadowed by the Royal Navy while it headed towards the eastern Mediterranean and on to Syria.
Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan sailed from Portsmouth on Tuesday to “man-mark” the Kuznetsov group, which is heading south through the North Sea and English Channel. Ms May demanded a "robust and united European stance in the face of Russian aggression".
The Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond escorted the group from the Norwegian Sea as it steamed south. She added: "It is vital that we work together to continue to put pressure on Russia to stop these appalling atrocities, these sickening atrocities, in Syria."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “When these ships near our waters we will man-mark them every step of the way. We will be watching as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe.” Syrian forces, backed by Russian air power, have agreed a temporary humanitarian truce in Aleppo. Mr Putin has held out the prospect of extending it following a meeting with French president Francois Hollande and German chancellor Angela Merkel.
Syrian forces, backed by Russian air power, have agreed a temporary humanitarian truce in Aleppo but Mrs May urged European leaders to take a firm line against Moscow. But Nato has said the prospect of Russia's only aircraft carrier heading to the region does not "inspire confidence" that Moscow is seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
Arriving at her first Brussels summit as PM, Mrs May called for a “robust and united European stance in the face of Russian aggression”. An official for the alliance said: "Russia has the right to operate in international waters. There are plans in place for Nato navies to monitor the Russian ships as they head for the Mediterranean."
She said: “It is vital that we work together to continue to put pressure on Russia to stop these appalling atrocities, these sickening atrocities, in Syria.” Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan sailed from Portsmouth on Tuesday to "man-mark" the Kuznetsov group, as it travelled south through the North Sea and English Channel. The Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond escorted the group from the Norwegian Sea as it steamed south.
Nato said the prospect of Russia's only aircraft carrier heading to the region does not “inspire confidence” that Moscow is seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "When these ships near our waters we will man-mark them every step of the way. We will be watching as part of our steadfast commitment to keep Britain safe."
A Nato official said: “Russia has the right to operate in international waters. There are plans in place for Nato navies to monitor the Russian ships as they head for the Mediterranean.
”At the same time, the deployment of the carrier group to the eastern Mediterranean does not inspire confidence that Russia is working towards a political solution to the conflict in Syria.“
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said in September that the Admiral Kuznetsov-led Northern Fleet would be joining a taskforce in the Mediterranean.Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said in September that the Admiral Kuznetsov-led Northern Fleet would be joining a taskforce in the Mediterranean.
According to the Russian news agency Tass, he told a defence board meeting that the plan was to bolster the Mediterranean fleet's ”combat capabilities“. According to the Russian news agency Tass, he told a defence board meeting that the plan was to bolster the Mediterranean fleet's "combat capabilities".
A statement from the fleet to the agency on October 15 said the group also consisted of the Pyotr Velikiy battlecruiser, the Severomorsk anti-submarine ship, the Vice-Admiral Kulakov destroyer and other support vessels.A statement from the fleet to the agency on October 15 said the group also consisted of the Pyotr Velikiy battlecruiser, the Severomorsk anti-submarine ship, the Vice-Admiral Kulakov destroyer and other support vessels.
The statement added: ”Special focus will be made on safeguarding security of maritime traffic and other types of maritime economic activity of Russia and also on responding to the new kinds of modern threats such as piracy and international terrorism.“
Mr Putin has held out the prospect of extending the pause in the Aleppo bombing campaign following a meeting with French president Francois Hollande and German chancellor Angela Merkel.
The Russian president said: ”We informed them of our intention to continue, as much as possible, considering the situation on Syrian territory, a pause in the air strikes. We are ready to do this for as long as there are no clashes with rebel formations entrenched in Aleppo.“
Press Association