Russian Foreign Ministry on Syria, Iran and Venezuela
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova (MZ below) noted ongoing war without resolution in Syria — mainly in Idlib province, a major stronghold for thousands of US-supported terrorists, aided by NATO, Israel, and Turkey.
MZ: By launching attacks, al-Nusra terrorists “creat(ed) a security threat for the civilian population…including (for) women and children.”
Regular rocket and missile attacks on Russia’s Khmeimim airbase were foiled. Continuing them threatens its personnel on the ground.
MZ stressed once again that Russian and Syrian aerial operations strike terrorists targets alone, identified by reconnaissance data and other intelligence.
Western and other reports claiming these operations target hospitals, schools, and residential areas are malicious bald-faced Big Lies — how the US, NATO, and Israel operate, not Russia and Syria.
MZ: “Any talk of a peaceful coexistence with terrorists is out of the question.” Russia is committed to aiding Syrian forces eliminate this scourge.
“Over the past two weeks, the UN Security Council met twice to discuss the situation in Syria, focusing on Idlib. Recent discussions once again showed the West’s policy of double standards and the selective approach to the humanitarian aspects of the situation in Syria.”
The US and its imperial partners ignore atrocities committed by ISIS, al-Nusra, and other jihadists they support, pretending otherwise.
MZ: “There is abundant information…on civilian deaths as a result of the US-led coalition’s actions,” tens of thousands massacred in Syria, Iraq, and other US war theaters — notably during the rape of Raqqa and Mosul, rotting corpses remaining beneath rubble.
US-led terror-bombing turned both cities into moonscapes, accountability for high crimes not forthcoming — or in other US war theaters.
Allegations by Trump regime officials about Syrian use of CWs are bald-faced Big Lies like earlier, evidence never backing claims made.
They’ve “become an integral part of NATO policy in Syria and in the Middle East,” MZ explained, adding:
“Instead of making efforts to assist in the political settlement of the internal Syrian conflict involving all the warring parties, the (US-dominated) West opts for the continuous destabilization of the region” — why endless wars rage with no resolution.
Commenting on US “anti-Iran hysteria,” MZ expressed concern about where things may be heading, including the Trump regime’s harsh response to Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council, saying it’ll suspend some of its voluntary commitments, relating to enrichment and storage of uranium and heavy water — according to its rights under JCPOA articles 26 and 36.
MZ: “The question is whether Iranians have the right to take such steps. In our opinion, and according to international law, logic and an understanding of the recent years’ developments, of course they have the full right to take such steps on the basis of UNSC Resolution 2231, which approved the JCPOA in 2015.”
Unlike the Trump regime’s unlawful pullout from the agreement based on Big Lies, Iran remains in full compliance with its principles — according to the IAEA.
MZ: “So no complaints can be made against Iran in the context of the JCPOA. At the same time, there is an obvious paradox, with the US having left the agreement a year ago but demanding that Iran stick to it.”
Hostile US rhetoric and saber-rattling “aggravat(e) the situation. Its agenda is “very dangerous,” not only going all out to undermine the JCPOA, “but…run(ning) the risk of destabilizing the entire Middle East region.”
“We believe that the evolving situation is fraught with fatal consequences and may plunge the region into a large-scale military confrontation that will lead to numerous casualties and considerable damage.”
The situation remains fraught with uncertainties and danger, MZ saying:
“Russia is open to discussions with all sides that are interested in the peaceful settlement of the domestic political situation in Venezuela,” adding:
“One of the key principles of Russian foreign policy is invariable respect for the sovereignty of other countries and non-interference in their internal affairs.”
“Russia consistently deals with lawful governments that have received the mandate of trust from their people, and hence, enjoy legitimacy and full authority.”
“This allows us to treat them as dialogue partners that are capable of pursuing their own independent line in the international arena, which we consider of value.”
Blaming Moscow for “what is happening in Venezuela (is) absurd.” Trump regime hardliners bear full responsibility, waging illegal war on the country by other means.
Russia strongly opposes US aims to topple Maduro and eliminate Venezuelan social democracy. It supports the rights of all sovereign nations as affirmed under international law — what the US, NATO, and their imperial partners breach repeatedly.
Moscow “continues working with its Venezuelan partners on a constructive agenda that meets the interests of our two countries.”
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