The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused Western countries of exploiting Syria's resources and obstructing the return of refugees, according to a report on the eighth Brussels conference on Syria held on May 27.
"Instead of addressing the crisis in Syria, Western countries are plundering the republic's resources and preventing refugees from returning," - stated the Russian Foreign Ministry. - "Washington and its allies, illegally occupying areas behind the Euphrates and the area near At-Tanf, are involved in plundering Syrian natural resources, including oil and grain. They show no concern for civilians in camps like Al-Hawl and Roj. Thousands of women and children who fled to these camps from the carpet bombing of Raqqa, Hajin, and Baguz are essentially abandoned to their fate."
The ministry highlighted that the actual developments in Syria and the region indicate that Western countries have no intention of addressing these issues. Moreover, the ministry claimed that the West is blocking the voluntary return of Syrians to their homeland and comprehensive humanitarian assistance to the republic. "Washington and Brussels not only deny assistance to those wishing to return but also hinder the implementation of projects for the early restoration of civilian infrastructure—schools, hospitals, water and electricity facilities, residential houses—which is key to security and dignified repatriation," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed. "Instead, the West prefers to keep Syrian refugees abroad by all possible means, paying off the receiving countries in case of increased threats of illegal migration."
The ministry also criticized the US and the EU for increasing sanctions against Damascus, which primarily affect ordinary Syrians who have already suffered from the multi-year crisis, a devastating earthquake, and the COVID-19 pandemic. "Against this background, the statements of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, about the commitment to a 'comprehensive political settlement in Syria with UN assistance' look frankly hypocritical. The Europeans did not and do not care about promoting a Syrian-led political process with respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria, as stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 2254," the Russian ministry added.
Furthermore, the ministry pointed out that representatives of the legitimate government of Syria and Russia, "without whom there is no real resolution of the crisis," are still not invited to EU events.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Akishin Vyacheslav/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS