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In the strongest condemnation of Russia’s involvement from a senior UK minister, the Defence Secretary called on Putin to rein in its ally’s use of chemical weapons in order to absolve

itself of responsibility for future attacks. The chemical attack on civilians was followed up by international condemnation, leading President Donald Trump to rain down 59 Tomahawk missiles

on the airbase responsible. Writing for the Sunday Times, Mr Fallon claimed Putin “needs to enforce commitments, to dismantle Assad’s chemical weapons arsenal for good, and to get fully

engaged with the UN peacekeeping progress”. He added: “Russia must show the resolve necessary to bring this regime to heel. “The Russians have influence in the region. “They helped broker

the original deal to put chemical weapons out of commission. “This latest war crime happened on their watch. “In the past few years, they have had every opportunity to pull levers and stop

the civil war. “It’s time for Russia to be part of the solution and engage constructively with the UN-mediated peace talks.” Fallon, who was informed of the US decision to strike Syria by

his US counterpart James ‘mad-dog’ Mattis, praised Trump’s decisive action to take the Airbase out. He added: “In his first test as commander-in-chief, President Trump made the right call by

resorting to careful and narrowly focused military action. “The Americans believed there were no peaceful means of stopping Assad using gas against his population. “Given repeated Russian

blocking in the UN security council, the US was determined to act. “By sending Tomahawk missiles to attack the airfield, aeroplanes and equipment believed to be involved, it has sent a

strong signal to the Syrian regime to think twice before using gas in future.”