Putin: Russia played a direct part in efforts to defeat international terrorism in Syria

MOSCOW, Nov 18, (ST)- Russia will continue to act as an impartial mediator in settling conflicts in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an enlarged board meeting of the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

 

“Russia has always acted and will continue to act as an impartial mediator in settling conflicts and crises in the Middle East and in promoting a stable  situation in this region in every possible way,” he stated.

 

Putin recalled that Russia played a direct part in efforts to defeat international terrorism in Syria.

 

“Then, within the framework of the Astana format an intra-Syrian settlement process was launched under UN auspices,” he stressed.

Putin pointed out that Russian diplomacy should continue to promote normalization of relations between Syria and other Arab countries, its prompt return to the League of Arab States and increasing  international aid for improving the humanitarian situation in that country.

 

Moreover, the Russian president called on diplomats to increase their attention to compatriots living abroad in order to preserve the general Russian cultural identity. 

 

He also criticized the actions of Polish law enforcement against migrants at the Belarusian border – children in particular. 

 

“Let’s take a look at how Polish security forces behave at the border. All of you can see it, after all, you watch it on the Internet and on TV. The first thing that comes to mind is – poor children. There are small children there, but no – they douse them with water, throw tear gas grenades,” Putin said, according to TASS. 

 

As for relations between Russia and China, Putin said: “Some Western countries are seeking to drive a wedge between Russia and China, but in response to this Moscow and Beijing will keep boosting cooperation and coordinating steps on the international arena.”

 

Basma Qaddour