Russia’s alleged attack ‘first use of chemical weapon since WWII’, says Turnbull

MALCOLM Turnbull has warned that the chemical attack on British soil is a threat to world order, as global powers rush to impose sanctions on Vladimir Putin.

Mr Turnbull praised Donald Trump for his commitment to ‘rules-based order on which our prosperity has rested since World War II’ . Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

RUSSIA’S alleged nerve gas attack on a former spy ­and his daughter in the UK was a threat to world order, according to Malcolm Turnbull.

The Prime Minister said it was the first aggression of its kind since the Second World War.

“It is consistent with Russia’s actions in the Ukraine, in Syria, in Crimea and in other parts of the world,” Mr Turnbull told The Australian. “It’s the first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II.”

He said the attack, which has sparked sanctions against Russia by the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States, was a “criminal act” and a “shocking infringement of UK sovereignty.”

Malcolm Turnbull said Russia’s alleged nerve agent attack was the first aggression of its kind since the Second World War.

British Prime Minister Theresa May this week expelled 23 Russian diplomats, sparking anger from Russia, which called the move “crude” and “hostile” and vowed to retaliate with its own sanctions.

While Mr Turnbull did not comment on whether Australia would level further sanctions against Russia, he praised Donald Trump for his commitment to “the rules-based order on which our prosperity has rested since World War II.”

The Prime Minister said new US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was “well known to our system”, on the eve of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit, which is being hosted in Australia.

“The thing to remember with President Trump is that ‘America first’ does not mean America alone,” said Mr Turnbull.

World powers have begun imposing sanctions against Russia, with the UK expelling 23 diplomats and President Vladimir Putin vowing retaliation. Picture: AFP Photo/Pool/Alexander Zemlianichenko

“President Trump spent the best part of two weeks in Asia on a trip last year. He is very engaged with the region.

“Every discussion I’ve had with him has had extensive engagement in terms of regional security. US actions speak for themselves. They are very committed to the ­region and it’s manifestly in their national interests to be so.

“President Trump shows every sign of being completely committed to America’s vital role in the ­region as the foundation of the rules-based order on which our prosperity has rested since World War II.”

Mr Turnbull said ASEAN was a vital trading partner, with which Australia needed stronger economic ties, adding that much of our security depends on trust and engagement with the region.