Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Moscow, SANA – The Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Anatoly Antonov expressed Russia’s readiness to cooperate with the US and other Western countries to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
Antonov made his remarks during the 7th Xiangshan security forum in Beijin, stating that “Russia, despite the unsubstantiated accusations, will continue to consistently fight against international terrorism and try to prevent escalation in Syria. We are firmly convinced that there is no military solution to this problem.”
“We regret that the agreements that were so hard to reach at the level of foreign ministers on September 9, were disrupted by US. Americans refused (or maybe are just unable) to separate the opposition from terrorists from Jabhat al-Nusra, said Antonov, stressing the need to improve the situation of the Castello road.
He described Washington’s decision to suspend talks with Russia as “Pyrrhic victory”, adding that the only beneficiary of these acts is terrorists.
“We did maximum possible to establish cooperation with US in the fight against terrorism in Syria. We proposed several promising and important spheres of cooperation, including ensuring security of servicemen of Russia and US-led coalition. However, we did not find full understanding,” Antonov said.
Antonov noted that we do not reject dialogue with US, but we are ready to build it on the equal, mutually respectful basis.
The Russian Deputy Minister of Defense highlighted his country’s effort to alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, adding that Russia has launched a large-scale humanitarian operation for Aleppo urging the international community to take part in it.
He noted that Armenia and Belarus have offered great support to the Syrians, adding that five more states will join the international efforts.
He indicated that humanitarian aid presented by China, Azerbaijan, Serbia, India and Kazakhstan will be delivered to the Syrian civilians soon, adding that the delivery of humanitarian aid constitutes an essential part of Russia’s work in Syria.
R. Raslan / Ghossoun
