01:15Russia: Ryabkov decries EU "double standards" over Syria arms supplies
Russia: Ryabkov decries EU "double standards" over Syria arms supplies
The EU's decision not to extend an embargo on arming the Syrian opposition is "deplorable" and reflects the "double standards" of Russia's European partners, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday. Speaking in Moscow following the EU's Monday decision, Ryabkov stated: "You cannot declare a wish to stop the bloodshed and continue to pump armaments into Syria at the same time."
The EU's current embargo expires on Saturday, potentially paving the way for arms deliveries to opposition forces. The UK and France have been calling for the ability to send weapons to the rebels. Other countries, including Austria, have opposed lifting the ban, saying it could lead to an escalation of violence and instability.
Russia's Ryabkov criticised the decision, saying deliveries of weapons to the rebels would breach international treaties regulating the arms trade and put under threat a planned peace conference. "By going against these norms and obligations, the European Union is actually throwing fuel on the fire of the conflict and making a productive conference on a political settlement in Syria less possible - even though one would assume the EU has an interest in its success," said Ryabkov.
Russia and the US are seeking to bring together all parties in the Syria conflict for talks in Geneva, with the aim of putting an end to the bloodshed, which has so far claimed over 80 000 lives. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed details of the proposed conference in Paris on Monday.
Also on Tuesday, Ryabkov stated that Russia's own delivery of arms to the Syrian government may help deter the threat of foreign intervention and stabilise the conflict. Moscow is delivering S-300 air defence missiles to the Syrian government under a contract signed several years ago. The projectiles would give Syria the ability to shoot down incoming cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and low-flying aircraft. They would not affect the balance of power between the government and opposition forces, Ryabkov stressed.
01:15Russia: Ryabkov decries EU "double standards" over Syria arms supplies
The EU's decision not to extend an embargo on arming the Syrian opposition is "deplorable" and reflects the "double standards" of Russia's European partners, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday. Speaking in Moscow following the EU's Monday decision, Ryabkov stated: "You cannot declare a wish to stop the bloodshed and continue to pump armaments into Syria at the same time."
The EU's current embargo expires on Saturday, potentially paving the way for arms deliveries to opposition forces. The UK and France have been calling for the ability to send weapons to the rebels. Other countries, including Austria, have opposed lifting the ban, saying it could lead to an escalation of violence and instability.
Russia's Ryabkov criticised the decision, saying deliveries of weapons to the rebels would breach international treaties regulating the arms trade and put under threat a planned peace conference. "By going against these norms and obligations, the European Union is actually throwing fuel on the fire of the conflict and making a productive conference on a political settlement in Syria less possible - even though one would assume the EU has an interest in its success," said Ryabkov.
Russia and the US are seeking to bring together all parties in the Syria conflict for talks in Geneva, with the aim of putting an end to the bloodshed, which has so far claimed over 80 000 lives. US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed details of the proposed conference in Paris on Monday.
Also on Tuesday, Ryabkov stated that Russia's own delivery of arms to the Syrian government may help deter the threat of foreign intervention and stabilise the conflict. Moscow is delivering S-300 air defence missiles to the Syrian government under a contract signed several years ago. The projectiles would give Syria the ability to shoot down incoming cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and low-flying aircraft. They would not affect the balance of power between the government and opposition forces, Ryabkov stressed.