Syria chemical attack: Russia urges US to avoid military action

Moscow's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia and his US counterpart Nikki Haley reportedly had a heated exchange over the issue during a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

Making Russia's intentions clear, Nebenzia said, "I would once again beseech you to refrain from the plans that you're currently developing."

Russia also vetoed a proposal to open a new inquiry into the alleged chemical attack in Syria.

After the US-drafted resolution failed to pass at the UN Security Council, Haley accused Russia of failing the Syrian people.

"At a certain point you’re either for an independent and impartial investigation, or you’re not. Today for the 6th time Russia failed the Syrian people and vetoed a mechanism that would have held those who use chemical weapons against them accountable," she wrote on Twitter.

Last week, French president Emmanuel Macron and his US counter Donald Trump had condemned the chemical attack in a joined statement.

Both Macron and Trump had vowed a determined response.

"Both leaders strongly condemned the horrific chemical weapons attacks in Syria and agreed that the Assad regime must be held accountable for its continued human rights abuses. They agreed to exchange information on the nature of the attacks and coordinate a strong, joint response," read a statement issued by the White House. 

Meanwhile, reports have stated that Trump is in conversation with both France and the UK, paving a way for a co-ordinated military attack from the West.