Poisson: West Should Form Alliance With Russia to Fight Extremists in Syria

French presidential candidate Jean-Frederic Poisson praised Russian counterterrorism efforts in Syria and said that West should make an alliance with Moscow to protect Syria from extremists, Sputnik reported.

Poisson serves as the chairman of the French Christian Democratic Party. Last year, he made two visits to Syria and held talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. The second visit took place after the Russian military campaign in Syria began.

“I can say that Russia’s efforts in Syria forced Daesh to massively retreat from their controlled territory. I was happy to see that because the West didn’t want to get involved in the situation, but then Russia engaged,” Poisson told Sputnik France.

 The politician also underscored that President Bashar Al Assad is in the only one who can prevent an extremist regime in Syria.

“Neither the Middle East nor Europe and Russia would like Islamist radicals coming to power in Syria,” he said.

France made mistake by applying the American Strategy in region

Poisson noted that Russia is emerging as the dominant player in the region and this is a big concern for the West.

He added that France “made a mistake” by applying the American strategy in the region.

“Even if Paris has been a long-time ally of the United States this does not mean that both countries always have same interests. We should formulate the differences and avoid a confrontation,” he underscored.

 Poisson also compared the situation in Aleppo, Syria, with the liberation of Iraqi Mosul.

 “What is happening in Aleppo will also happen in Mosul. War is a terrible thing, we should not forget that. But Russia is not to blame for Aleppo. I believe that Daesh militants should be defeated by force in both Aleppo and Mosul,” he concluded.

H.M