Western sanctions have a negative impact on the political settlement and the fight against terrorism in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a working meeting with the UN Special Representative for the country Geir Pedersen.
"There have been significant changes in Syria, which relate to almost all areas of the crisis settlement of the political process, the humanitarian situation and post-conflict reconstruction, the fight against terrorism. Illegitimate Western sanctions against Syria have a negative impact on these processes," the Russian Minister said.
Among other negative factors, he mentioned the violation of the sovereignty of the SAR, the looting of natural resources, as well as restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus. However, the Syrian authorities, with the support of Russia, are doing everything possible to normalize the situation, he said.
At the same time, Shoigu believes, it is difficult to understand the logic of Western countries that, on the one hand, "imitate concern for the Syrian people", and on the other, impose sanctions against them - prohibit the supply of medicines and food, preventing the return of refugees.
"The hand that mercilessly plunders this country is the hand that imposes sanctions. We need to come to the point where we can give the Syrian people the freedom to develop by lifting sanctions and stop stealing oil," Shoigu said.
Shoigu is also perplexed by the position of Europe, which does not want to accept new flows of refugees, but, in his opinion, does everything to ensure that Syrians would like to leave their country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from RIA Novosti