Churkin: Russia to Continue Aiding Damascus to Confront Terrorist Groups, Particularly ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra

UNITED NATIONS- Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin told a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East on Tuesday that the United States should learn to assess the situation in Syria objectively.

He called on the American side and other influential regional players to take a more positive approach and use their influence to persuade the “Syrian opposition” to give up a destructive course, which is delaying the crisis peaceful settlement, according to Itar Tass.

 “The United States, which is the co-chairman of the International Syria Support Group, needs to give up propaganda cliches at long last and learn to assess the situation objectively,” Churkin said.

Churkin urged UN Special Envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura to build up efforts in working with the sides in the Syrian conflict.

“The negotiations in Geneva should resume as soon as possible,” the Russian diplomat said adding that now it was up for the Syrians themselves to make a decision.

“However, a lot will depend on whether the Damascus opponents are going to give up their destructive line, which is delaying a peaceful settlement,” Churkin stressed.

Churkin said that the fight against the so-called  “Islamic State” and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups permitted of “no delay or indulgences.” He said Russia would continue aiding Damascus to confront those two terrorist organizations.

The Russian diplomat stressed that Moscow hoped that the capitals of states, including the regional states, which could make a concrete contribution to easing the terrorist threat, would also take the same approach.

“Serious gaps remain in this field. They allow militants to move across borders; receive money, weapons and materiel and gain access to toxic agents. It is necessary to put an end to that,” Churkin stressed.

The previous round of the inter-Syrian talks, which was under way in Geneva on April 13-27, ended with no significant results. Staffan de Mistura told the UN Security Council meeting on June 29 that he hoped the Damascus government and the opposition would be able to resume the talks in July. He also confirmed he still hoped to launch a political process in Syria on August 1 in accordance with resolution 2254.

Source: Itar Tass

H.M