Russian diplomat denies allegations that humanitarian operation in Aleppo might camouflage its storm
MOSCOW. July 29 (Interfax) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has denied allegations that the storm of Aleppo is being prepared and insisted that there are no reasons to doubt the humanitarian nature of an operation announced on Thursday.
"I categorically deny the allegation that some storm is being prepared," Ryabkov told Interfax on Friday evening.
"Our American partners, due to their own stagnancy and suspiciousness toward Russia, are beginning to attribute some nonexistent designs to us. We cannot accept it that things should be formulated this way. We are pursuing the ends that have been declared - not more but not less," Ryabkov said.
Some media earlier quoted U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as saying that, if the humanitarian operation in Aleppo declared by Russia proved "a ruse," this could ruin Russian-U.S. cooperation in Syria.
"Not only are there no reasons to doubt the purely humanitarian purpose [of the operation], but this also means yet another attempt to play some political game instead of promoting the resolution of humanitarian issues, including through helping international humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Cross and specialized UN institutions, to be properly engaged in this situation," Ryabkov said.