Russian Ambassador to Britain Andrei Kelin criticized the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, the US and some other countries against Syria, calling such actions immoral and unacceptable. He said this while speaking at an online conference on Syria on Monday, calling on Western countries to participate in the country's reconstruction instead of sanctions pressure.
"Syria's development is hampered not only by the consequences of the conflict and the coronavirus pandemic but also by the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria by the United States, Britain and some of their allies. Those restrictive measures not only hinder economic development but also prevent the purchase of vital medicines and medical and construction equipment. This is immoral and unacceptable," Kelin said at a conference organized by the Cambridge-based European Center for the Study of Extremism.
The diplomat spoke about Russia's aid to Syria, mentioning, among other things, the 4,700 tons of humanitarian supplies Russia has delivered since 2015 and the comprehensive strategic bilateral cooperation program under development. At the same time, Kelin admitted that this is not enough.
"The Syrian population is in desperate need of humanitarian aid. The policy of Western countries, including Britain, is to deliver aid only to opposition-controlled areas and choke the rest of the country with sanctions. This is cruel and of serious concern. It is vital to reach out to all Syrians, regardless of where they live or whom they support, without discrimination or preconditions. Instead of giving irregular aid to neighboring countries where Syrian refugees temporarily reside, aid should be directed to those who want to return. This would also help alleviate the socio-economic burdens of the host countries," the diplomat said.
"It is clear that Syria has overcome the most terrible problems of civil war and terrorist invasion. But the country has a thorny road ahead in order to return to normalcy. It is high time for the entire international community, and here I turn to the British authorities, to support this process by engaging in reconstruction and helping to rebuild better than it was. Better late than never," Kelin urged.
New British sanctions
Earlier on Monday, the British Foreign Office expanded its sanctions list on Syria, adding Faisal Miqdad, head of the Syrian Foreign Ministry, among others. The list includes five more officials and businessmen, including National Guard Commander Major General Malik Aliaa and personal adviser to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Luna al-Shibl. All of these individuals are banned from entering the UK, and their assets, if found in the UK, will be frozen.
In just 10 years of the Syrian civil war, London has imposed sanctions on Syria on 353 cases, but the restrictive measures announced today are the first since Britain left the EU.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS