Peskov: Moscow refuses swaps between military aid to Syria and lifting Western sanctions

Moscow, SANA – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia refuses to link between halting its military aid to Syria in the fight against terrorism and a possible lifting of economic sanctions imposed on it by the West.

“We ruled out any kind of swaps in this matter. An approach like this is absolutely out of place,” Peskov was quoted as saying by the Russian Sputnik news agency.

“Russia has been aiding the Syrian authorities in their fight against terrorism and extremism in its own interest,” he told the journalists.

“But by pursuing its goals,” Peskov added, “Russia has been simultaneously helping Europeans to deal with the root cause of their refugee problem, because this problem stems from the same chaos that gave rise to extremism and terrorism and allowed them to dominate Syria, Iraq and neighboring states.”

He clarified that Moscow is actively continuing to establish contacts with part of the “moderate” Syrian opposition, adding that he isn’t aware of any progress that can be said, “but work is continuing, there is steady and active work going on.”

M. al-Frieh/H. Said

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