Russian force deployed on NATO's southern flank radically changes strategic balance of power - Shoigu
MOSCOW. May 24 (Interfax) - The Russian Federation Council's decision to use the Armed Forces in Syria has fundamentally changed the strategic balance of power in the region and inflicted considerable damage on international terrorist organizations in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"The decision to use the Russian Armed Forces in Syria has made it possible to attain a number of geopolitical objectives. A group of the Russian Armed Forces deployed on the southern flank of NATO has fundamentally changed the strategic balance of power in the region. International terrorist organizations in Syria suffered considerable damage, and their financial support and resource supply system have been disrupted," Shoigu said at the Federation Council on Wednesday.
"The collapse of the Syrian state has been averted, and attempts to replace the legitimate administration orchestrated from abroad are being neutralized," he said.
Russia played a key role in launching the Astana process for a settlement in Syria involving field commanders of the opposition forces, Shoigu said.
"The signing of the memorandum on the creation of de-escalation areas on the territory of Syria, which took effect on May 6, 2017, became a landmark event. Its fulfillment would help stop combat actions by the parties to the conflict and would in fact stop the civil war," he said.
