DOWNING Street has brushed aside a reference by the Russian Embassy to “real war” over Syria, saying Theresa May is focused on working with international partners to build a clear way forward on the Middle Eastern conflict, which includes piling pressure on Moscow.

As tensions mount between the West and Russia and Iran over last week’s chemical attack and the US Government’s military response to it, the Russian Embassy in London tweeted a poll, noting: “If G7 ultimatum to Russia brings us to real war, what is your trust in @realDonaldTrump as a wartime leader&@BorisJohnson as his lieutenant?”

The Prime Minister spokesman, asked what Mrs May’s response to this was, said: “What we are focused on…is building international support for a political solution to end the conflict and bringing lasting peace and stability to Syria.

“Our focus is calling on Russia and Iran to do everything possible to bring about this political settlement and to work with the international community to ensure last week’s shocking events aren’t repeated.”

On Sunday night, the PM had a telephone conversation from her walking holiday in Wales with her Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau when they agreed the US strikes were an “appropriate response to the barbaric attack launched by the Syrian regime”.

Her spokesman explained the two leaders spoke about the importance of Russia using its influence to bring about a political settlement in Syria and to work with the rest of the international community to “ensure the shocking events of last week are never repeated”.

Asked if the UK would be prepared to put more pressure on Moscow with additional sanctions, he declined to give a detailed response, saying only that discussions with key partners were ongoing on how the international community could “bring further pressure to bear on the regime and those who are backing it, who include the Russians”.

Asked if the bombing ordered by Donald Trump was in accordance with international law, the spokesman replied: “We have said we support it and it was appropriate.”

He said that G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy today and tomorrow would seek to build a “clear international position on the way ahead” in support of the visit to Moscow this week by Rex Tillerson, the US Secrertary of State.

Mr Tillerson has said he intends to deliver a "clear and co-ordinated" message to the Kremlin when he visits Russia on Wednesday.

Mr Johnson, in Tuscany for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, has warned that America could unleash further strikes on Syria in the fight to weaken President Bashar Assad's regime.

Last week, the US President ordered a series of missile strikes in response to the deaths of more than 80 people, including children, during a chemical attack in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun.

But the joint command centre made up of Assad's allies, including Russia and Iran, issued a statement saying the US strike had crossed "red lines".

It warned: "From now on we will respond with force to any aggressor or any breach of red lines from whoever it is and America knows our ability to respond well."

Discussing the US's response to the attack, Mr Johnson told The Sun: "Crucially - they could do so again. We cannot miss this moment. It is time for Putin to face the truth about the tyrant he is still propping up."

The Russian President and Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian leader, said American military intervention was a "violation of international law" during telephone talks backing the Syrian regime.

The US and UK have blamed Russia for being complicit in the horrific deaths of innocent Syrians in last week's chemical attack and the federation is facing the threat of fresh international sanctions over its support for the dictator.

Mr Johnson spent the weekend on the telephone to G7 foreign ministers ahead of the two-day meeting in Lucca and also spoke to key regional players, including the Saudis.

During the talks, he will insist Assad has no future in Syria, Russia must stop supporting the regime and a plan to rebuild the country must be drawn up.

The Secretary of State has been lambasted for pulling out of planned talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov following discussions with the US.

Critics claimed the move left him looking "daft" and as though he "can't be trusted".

A UK Government source said: "The important thing is that this is Britain helping to influence US policy on Syria and Russia, far from being a poodle.

"Three months ago Syria wasn't really an issue for them but our push and recent events have made a difference,” he insisted.

Sir John Sawers, the former head of MI6, said he supported the intervention in Syria but expressed serious concerns about Mr Trump's ability to manage the complex diplomatic challenges in the Middle East and North Korea.

"Whilst the tensions this morning and this week around the world are higher, the enforcement of international norms actually is in the long-term interests of the West and the world generally, to rule out the use of chemical weapons in any circumstances," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Asked if he was scared of the US President, Sir John said: "He is not someone who fills me with confidence. He doesn't have the background and the experience and the instincts of being an effective US President.

"But it is in our interests that we have a US administration which upholds the international system, that supports its allies and supports international norms."

Sir John added that the last week had shown "sensible grown-ups within the administration taking charge and the rather ideological figures around Trump himself being marginalised".