The United States shared information about Russian interests in Syria
As the RIA "News", With a statement on Russian interests in Syria on the eve of the US Deputy Secretary of State for the Middle East, Jeffrey Feltman. He said that Russia not only has no valid reason to object to the resignation of Bashar Assad, but even the opposite - while maintaining the Assad regime in the country, Moscow will not be able to defend its own interests in Syria and the region.
According to a senior US official, US contacts with Russia on the Syrian theme are continuing. The Americans are convincing Russia to use the existing influence in Syria to solve problems — instead of blocking efforts, as explained by J. Feltman.
The Deputy Secretary of State recalled that the Russian Federation has influence and interests in Syria that have evolved over the years. But, according to Feltman, Moscow will not succeed in retaining influence and interests when linking politics with the Assad regime. The fact is that, according to the US, Assad will "sink." Therefore, his support by Moscow is “not a very wise decision,” especially when it comes to protecting one’s interests.
Not so long ago, about two weeks ago, fulfilling the request of Hillary Clinton, J. Feltman visited the Russian capital. The topic for the Moscow conversation was famous: "... the irreversibility of the removal of Assad from power." The deputy secretary of state argues that Russia’s analysis of the situation in Syria and Russian’s understanding of the precarious situation of Assad differ little from those of the United States. Only here Moscow’s position on Syria remains unchanged - and this greatly upsets the bewildered America. Feltman even stated: “The time has come to use sharper rhetoric regarding Russia's actions.” He stressed the fact that “the time has come for the UN Security Council to act.”
The United States, however, will continue to consult with the Russian Federation on the Syrian issue. This was confirmed yesterday by White House spokesman Jay Carney. Carney pointed out that the United States will continue to work with its international partners to ensure that Assad leaves power and helps the Syrian people. This help, as Carney noted, is to create a “democratic future” in Syria, which, according to him, the Syrian people “so clearly want and deserve”.
Recall that we are now talking about holding consultations with Moscow and Beijing about the development of sanctions against the Assad regime, as well as providing humanitarian aid to the citizens of Syria.
On February 10, Clinton also announced the role of the Russian Federation in resolving the Syrian conflict. Moscow, as the US Secretary of State said, will get such an “access to Assad, which no one will ever have, especially if we are talking about Western countries.” That is why Washington should convince Moscow to "cooperate."
In turn, Vladimir Putin, at his last meeting with editors of foreign newspapers, said that identical conditions should be imposed on the Assad government and on the opposition. According to Putin, the same conditions for both conflicting parties are an indispensable and basic condition for ending the violence, as well as the beginning of a political settlement of the conflict. According to Putin, the Russian Federation is ready to cooperate with Western countries to achieve this goal.
The Prime Minister also recalled that the draft resolution of the UN Security Council on Syria, on which China and Russia had vetoed at one time, put forward demands only to the Syrian official authorities, having completely ignored the actions of the opposition. Putin added that while promoting it (i.e. the opposition) with supplies weapons and while putting pressure on Assad, this opposition "will never sit at the negotiating table."
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