Putin: Bloodshed in Syria can be stopped only politically
LOUGH ERNE. June 18 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that the bloodshed in Syria can be stopped only by political means.
"Any decisions on supplies of weapons to the opposition based on unconfirmed accusations of Damascus of using chemical weapons can only destabilize the situation further," Putin said at a press conference following a G8 summit.
The G8 summit participants paid special attention to Syria in discussing international issues, and Russia urged its partners to work purposefully to convene a Geneva conference on settling the conflict in Syria, Putin said.
All the summit participants believe that the bloodshed in Syria should be stopped as soon as possible, peace in this country should be achieved politically, and the rights of all ethnic minorities living in Syria must be protected, Putin said.
