Putin welcomes British parliament's decision not to sanction operation against Syria
VLADIVOSTOK. Aug 31 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the British parliament's decision not to sanction the United Kingdom's participation in a possible military operation against Syria, noting that this decision was an absolute surprise to him.
"The British parliament's decision on Syria is an absolute surprise to me. It shows that there are people guided by common sense there," Putin told journalists in Vladivostok on Saturday.
"We have been accustomed in the past years to the fact that everything in Western society is accepted without special discussions and in conformity with the will and position of the main partner, that is, the U.S., or at least it looked so. If something went wrong this time around, I should repeat that this is something I didn't expect; moreover, I am even surprised by this position," he said.
On the other hand, this decision, in Putin's view, shows that even in the United Kingdom, a key geopolitical ally for the U.S., there are people who are guided by national interests and common sense and who value their sovereignty. Putin also suggested that this is a result of analysis of what has happened in the Middle Eastern region and other countries in the past years.
"I am sure that people analyze events that happen, come to conclusions, and make their own decisions," Putin said.
It was reported earlier that the British parliament did not approve a government resolution on grounds for a military intervention in Syria. The resolution was supported by 272 parliamentarians, and 285 were against it.