Astana, Special Representative of the Russian President to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, affirmed that Russia categorically rejects the Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, indicating that they may lead to the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East.
‘We categorically do not accept these attacks because they only lead to an escalation of violence, and we will do everything in our power to prevent attempts to drag Syria into a regional conflict,’ Lavrentiev said in a statement to reporters Wednesday in Astana.
Lavrentiev added: ‘Russia does not yet see an intention in the United States to withdraw its military forces from Syria, and the situation has become more complicated, as the Americans are suffering serious losses, but they continue to remain there in a number of their bases in northeastern Syria and in al-Tanf region in the south.’
The Russian representative noted that the importance of the Astana format to resolve the situation in Syria is now increasing in light of the escalation of tension in the Middle East, which is now on the verge of a large-scale armed confrontation.
He added: ‘I believe that the international community must do everything in its power to prevent such a negative development of the situation.’
According to the Russian diplomat, the three guarantor states (Russia, Iran, and Turkey) will need to coordinate their positions in interaction with all parties participating in the Astana negotiations, primarily, of course, with the Syrian parties.
Lavrentiev stressed the need to continue fighting terrorist groups, such as (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) and others, and strive to improve the economic situation in Syria and start the reconstruction.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency
