Johnson had planned to travel to Russia Monday on a trip intended to start fresh dialogue with the Russian government (which would have been the first visit by a UK foreign secretary in more than five years), but following this week's actions he said in a statement.

"Developments in Syria have changed the situation fundamentally,"

"We deplore Russia's continued defence of the Assad regime even after the chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians,"

"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."

"My priority is now to continue contact with the U.S. and others in the run-up to the G7 meeting on 10-11 April - to build coordinated international support for a ceasefire on the ground and an intensified political process."

Russia's reported response to BoJo's change of plans: cancellation of Boris Johnson's trip is not a big loss. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says by phone...