Putin Reiterates Solution to Crisis in Syria Must Be Political

MOSCOW- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that solution to the crisis in Syria must be only political. He pointed out that his country backs concerned countries’ efforts in contribution to holding the intra-Syrian talks.

Putin, who was speaking during the ceremony of receiving the credentials of ambassadors to Russia, said political solution in Syria “is the only way to stop the bloodshed, to ensure the return of millions of refugees, to revive the country’s economy and the social sector.”   

“Together with the interested countries, Russia promotes the launch of intra-Syrian dialogue. We believe the solution to the Syrian conflict must be political. It is the only way to stop the bloodshed, to ensure the return of millions of refugees, to revive the economy and the social sector of the country,” Putin said.

The world’s ability to jointly combat terrorism and face other security challenges is being determined in Syria, Putin said, according to Sputnik.

  “By and large, the international community’s ability and willingness to join forces and together confront the terrorist threat common to us all is being determined on Syrian soil, as well as to adequately respond to other challenges to global security and stability,” the president said.

On US presidential election

Resident Putin congratulated the new US President Donald Trump on winning the race for the White House.

I would like to congratulate the American people on the end of the presidential campaign, and I would like to congratulate Mr. Donald Trump on winning this election,” Putin said.

Donald Trump won the US presidential election triumphing over his Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.

The Russian leader said Moscow was ready to do its outmost to return relations with Washington on the trajectory of sustainable development. Restoring the ties would not be easy, but Russia is ready to follow its course, he said.

“We heard election campaign statements by the US presidential candidate, which were aimed to restore relations between Russia and the United States. We are aware that this will be a difficult path, with account for degradation the Russia-US relations have unfortunately faced,” Putin said.

“It is not our fault that the Russian-US ties are in such a state,” he said. “But Russia is ready and wants to restore full-format relations with the United States. We are proceeding from the assumption that it will not be an easy path, but we are ready to complete our part of it.”

Putin said that people from both Russia and the US would benefit from better relations. They would also improve the global climate.

“We are ready to do everything to bring back Russian-US relations on a sustainable development path. This would benefit both the Russian and the US people and would positively impact the overall climate in global affairs, given the particular responsibilities of Russia and the US in maintaining global stability and security,” Putin said.

Russian top diplomat says Moscow will judge new US administration by its deeds

Meantime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday commenting on Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential elections that Russia will judge the new US administration by its deeds and will respond in kind.

Lavrov declined to say whether Trump’s victory was a positive sign for Russia. “We don’t have any preferences. As the president said, we will work with any US leader that the American people elect,” the Russian top diplomat said, according to Itar tass.

“We are ready to work with any president,” the minister stated. “I can’t say that all the previous US leaders were always predictable. This is life, this is politics. I have heard many words but we will judge by deeds.”

According to him, Russia’s position on this matter “remains, it hasn’t changed.” “We have been waiting for the American people to decide, now we have their decision,” Lavrov concluded.

“We are ready to work with any president,” the minister stated. “I can’t say that all the previous US leaders were always predictable. This is life, this is politics. I have heard many words but we will judge by deeds.”

H.M