EU does not plan new sanctions on Russia or Syria following chemical attacks on Douma

The European Union's foreign ministers did not join the United States on Monday for imposing new economic sanctions on Russia or Syria for chemical weapons attacks, which sparked the first co-ordinated Western attacks in Syria.

After Britain and France joined the United States in air strikes on government lines, Western leaders have discussed diplomacy at the meeting in Luxembourg.

“It is very important to stress that the attacks are not intended to change the path of war or change the regime”, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said before arriving at the meeting.

At the meeting in Luxembourg, the ministers have been expected to launch a statement through which they leave open opportunity for sanctions on travel or freezing assets for Syrians, but diplomats have failed to make any decisions especially for the Russians.

“We must postpone the possibility of a ceasefire and humanitarian aid through the UN Security Council, or eventually any peace process, Dutch Minister Stephen Block has said.

The United States is expected to launch new economic sanctions in Russia, mainly for companies allegedly linked to chemical weapons, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has announced.

However, European diplomats have said that unless the European government is clear about the US plan, it is not expected to make any other decision.

In the past, European measures have come months after Washington sanctions