EU blocks British bid to slap sanctions on Russia for ‘sickening atrocities’ in Aleppo
Theresa May wanted to freeze assets and slap travel bans on military and Kremlin chiefs
THE EU stood aside yesterday and let a Russian armada steam to Syria after Britain’s bid to target its generals with tough sanctions was torpedoed.
Alongside France and Germany, Prime Minister Theresa May mounted a push for new measures to freeze assets and slap travel bans on military and Kremlin chiefs responsible for what she dubbed "sickening atrocities" in besieged Aleppo.
But after six hours of late night talks at a Brussels summit, southern and eastern European states lead by Italy blocked the move.
Italian Premier Matteo Renzi insisted sanctions on President Putin's regime “make no sense”.
Renzi won the fight to delete the words from a leaders’ communiqué yesterday calling for “further restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities supporting the regime”.
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Instead, the 28 EU bosses could only agree on the vague phrase that there were “considering all available options”.
Peace campaigners attacked the watered down measures as meaningless and slammed Europe for "craven weakness".
By last night, the fleet of eight Russian warships – lead by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov - had passed by Dover and left UK territorial waters for the Middle East.
The humiliation came on Trafalgar Day yesterday – the annual date when the Royal Navy celebrates Nelson’s heroic victory against the French in 1805.
As the summit ended, Mrs May last night insisted it is “vital we keep up the pressure on Russia”.
And she put on a brave face when questioned by The Sun if she had wanted to achieve more.
The PM said: “We had a very good discussion and we very clear about Russia and the need for the EU to have all options open".
Downing Street aides revealed Mrs May had feared heavy opposition to their plan.
A senior No10 source said: “We are realistic. We expected a battle before we got into the room”.
MPs last night lashed out at Italy for leading the block, and openly accused the Mediterranean country of appeasement.
Campaigning Labour MP John Woodcock said: "This deplorable Putin appeasement from Italy smacks of their shameful conduct in the Second World War.
"We cannot the craven weakness of others to hold back the tough action needed to stop the Russian slaughter."
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