Washington didn't coordinate plans to set up safe zones in Syria mentioned by Trump with Moscow - Kremlin
MOSCOW. Jan 26 (Interfax) - Washington did not consult Moscow regarding the establishment of "safe zones" in Syria to reduce the flow of refugees from this country, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
"No, our American partners didn't consult the Russian side. This is [the U.S.'] sovereign decision," Peskov told journalists on Thursday.
"What is important is that this mustn't worsen the situation involving refugees. Perhaps all possible consequences should have been calculated," Peskov said.
U.S. President Donald trump had said earlier in an interview with ABC that he would set up safe zones for Syrian people. He suggested that Europe has made a tremendous mistake by allowing millions of refugees to settle in Germany and other European countries.
Media reported Trump planned to instruct the Department of State and the Pentagon to draw up a plan of setting up such safe zones for Syrians.
This draft executive order has not yet been signed, and it is unclear what these zones should be like. The document says that they are supposed to give the chance to Syrians who had to flee their homes because of the hostilities to wait in safety for the conflict to be settled.
At the same time, media presumed that this plan may require the U.S. and its allies set up a no-fly zone in these areas in Syria and possibly send in ground forces, which is fraught with disagreements with Russia.
The plan for setting up security zones in Syria has to be drafted within 90 days after the executive order is signed, the media said.