Putin: Russia’s policy of support for Syrian leadership and people remains unchanged

MOSCOW- Russia’s policy of giving support to the Syrian leadership and people remains unchanged, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday at a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem, according to Itar Tass.

“As we can see, the situation in Syria is developing along a complicated pattern, which is linked first and foremost to the aggression by the forces of international terrorism,” he said. “We understand that in a situation of this kind, success is always compounded with some problems and military mishaps may occur, too.”

“Still we’re sure that the Syrian people will win in the final run and our policy of supporting Syria, its leadership and its people remains unchanged,” Putin said.

Russia says there should be no pretexts for delaying political process in Syria

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday urged to make sure that agreements on a political settlement of the Syrian crisis were further observed.

Speaking with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem at a meeting in Moscow, Lavrov said: “Your visit is a great opportunity to exchange views on the current situation in and around Syria and discuss our bilateral relations”.

“The most important thing is to make sure that that the agreements reached on a political settlement by consent of all Syrian groups are further observed,” he said.

“Today when the terrorist threat is hanging over the entire Middle East region and far beyond, there should be no more pretexts for delaying the political process,” Lavrov said, adding that Russia would continue to support Syria in fighting terror groups.

He stressed that Russia felt “solidarity with the Syrian people fighting against terror groups” and it was “providing all possible assistance to increase Syria’s ability to resist the evil” and would “continue doing this”.

“We are actively working with other countries of the region, European nations and the United States to see our common policy priorities in the Middle East,” Lavrov said.

Al-Muallem: United States makes no secret of their support for terrorists fighting in Syria

On his part Mr. al-Muallem said that the United States makes no secret of their support for terrorists fighting in Syria.

“We believe that the Syrian problem needs a political resolution,” Muallem stressed.

“However, 2,100 terrorists with most advanced weapons were recently deployed in Syria’s south,” he said. “The Americans are making no secret of their support for terrorists. We are facing double standards.”

Muallem accused Washington of allocating $1 billion to support terrorists fighting in Syria.

He also thanked Russia for helping Damascus to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

“We appreaciate the position of Russia, President Vladimir Putin and minister Lavrov,” he said.

Itar Tass

H.M