Contradictions between Moscow and Washington complicated work of Red Cross in Syria - ICRC president
MOSCOW. Nov 23 (Interfax) - The severance of Russian-U.S. interaction on Syria negatively impacted the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in this country, but the ICRC hopes that the crisis will be resolved, ICRC President Peter Maurer said.
The unresolved tensions and diplomatic conflict between the superpowers complicate the work of international organizations and the ICRC cannot help but be concerned about the tensions on Syrian territory, he said on Wednesday during a discussion organized by the Valdai discussion club, responding to a question as to whether the work of the ICRC was being complicated.
The ICRC sincerely hopes that this conflict, which has lasted four and a half years, will end sooner or later and it will lead to a different quality of political dialogue, he said.
Maurer said it will take more than participation by Russia and the U.S. to resolve the Syrian crisis. This conflict can be resolved if the key players, including the neighboring countries, unite, he said.
Maurer earlier said in an interview with Interfax that his visit to Moscow will promote the deepening of cooperation with Russia on the most acute humanitarian problems, including Syria and Ukraine.