Erdogan's declaration that topping of al-Assad is primary objective of Turkish military operation in Syria causes concern - Ryabkov
MOSCOW. Dec 1 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry views as an alarming signal the fact that political statements on the need to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from office have been backed up with military force for the purpose of achieving that objective.
"We have never had any illusions as to the goals pursued by the United States and some of its allies in the region through what we'd call their policy towards Syria. Those goals have never been concealed. It has been repeatedly stated at various levels, including the top one, both in Washington and in Ankara, that they saw no future for a Syria led by al-Assad," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters on Wednesday, answering an Interfax question.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that the Turkish army "had" to cross into Syria in order to put an end to the President Bashar al-Assad regime.
There is nothing new about the meaning of this statement, Ryabkov said. "It is a different thing that concrete military operations, i.e. the tangible use of force, have begun to foster the task of changing the Damascus regime. Of course, we are concerned about operations, which may be launched in this connection," the high-ranking diplomat said.
"This is an alarming signal," he said.
Turkey belongs to the group of states whose positions on the future political structure of Syria differ from the position of Russia, Ryabkov said.
The events occurring in Aleppo in recent days, "doubtlessly confirm and fully demonstrate the 100% match of the goals declared by us in relation to Syria," which is Russia's fight against terrorism, the deputy foreign minister said. "We are doing our best and are taking every measure to alleviate the humanitarian situation," he said.
"The same as three years ago, one year ago and at the moment the baseline Geneva Communique dated June 30, 2012 was drafted, we unwaveringly maintain that Syrians themselves should decide who will be in charge of Syria and what this will mean from the practical angle, from the angle of resolution of domestic political problems," he said.
He rejected the allegations of those trying to distort Russia's actions and goals in Syria in any way. "It is hypocritical and amoral to accuse Russia of doing something, which is hindering this turn of events and progress in that direction. Only the individuals who are trying to hide behind the actions of others and are carrying on the same sociopolitical engineering project in the Middle East, which has brought so much suffering to Libya, Iraq and many other places, can do that," Ryabkov said.