Russia is ready to discuss with Western countries the humanitarian situation in Syria if they recognize the totality of the real problems there and the responsibility they bear for them, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday at a news conference following talks with OSCE Secretary-General Helga Schmid.
"If the totality of these factors is recognized as affecting the humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, then we are ready to discuss all this in a complex way. But this requires that our Western partners categorically refuse unilateral interpretations of this or that problem and acknowledge their responsibility for the overall situation that has developed in the humanitarian sphere in Syria," he said.
The minister said the situation in Idlib province remained difficult, where "despite the active efforts of Turkish colleagues, the terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (banned in Russia), which holds many civilians as hostages there, still plays a decisive role." According to Lavrov, the province is currently the only point at which humanitarian aid is delivered to Syria from outside and without the involvement of its government, which complicates humanitarian deliveries. He also pointed out that the Syrian government's stated willingness to facilitate the sending of humanitarian aid through Damascus was ignored by both the UN and Western countries.
In addition, he pointed out that the humanitarian situation in the Arab republic is exacerbated by ongoing US sanctions and the illegal occupation of the eastern bank of the Euphart River by US forces. "There is looting of hydrocarbons and other natural wealth of Syria, with the proceeds being used to finance projects that are perceived by many as encouraging separatism and provoking the collapse of the Syrian state," Lavrov stressed.
The Russian foreign minister also noted that a number of European countries and the US are hindering the process of returning Syrian refugees to their homeland. "All the aid that the West collects - and it collects it without any participation of Damascus in violation of UN rules - is not directed to enable refugees to return in dignity, to have basic conditions and services there - educational, energy and water supply. It is going to refugee camps in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon with the express purpose of keeping refugees there as long as possible," the minister concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS