Moscow denied the link between the operation in Syria and support for Assad – RBC

Damascus, Syria

Photo: Mikhail Pochuev / TASS

Russia has begun operation in Syria to support Assad, said the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. She said that Moscow supports “the preservation of the legitimate government” in Damascus, in order to prevent “the collapse” Syria

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said that the deployment of Russian troops in Syria is not connected with the desire of Moscow to support the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war.

According to Zakharova, Russia “supported the preservation of the legitimate government” in Syria, to prevent “the collapse” of the country.

“it is said that Russia has imposed VKS in Syria to support Assad in the civil war. So we could say, if Russia, for example, would have sent troops to support one side in Syria’s civil confrontation in 2011 or 2012, “- said Zakharov reporters (according to” Interfax quoted »)

. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow will not support any party in a civil confrontation in Syria as “professes a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of the state.” “We do not support Assad. Do not forget that it was not our best friend, and the friend of the West “- Zakharov emphasized

She said that Russia” has consistently advocated “for the preservation of” the legitimate authority in Syria in order to prevent its collapse “<.. /> p>

«We support the preservation of the legitimate government, the authorities, knowing that if the president will leave behind him leave the government, dissolve the executive branch and the army, and Libya all seem” cakewalk “- said the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Zakharov also reminded that, to begin operations in Syria, Russia has designated it as a short-term, and the operation itself “was held with unprecedented openness»

«The objectives were clearly marked -. the fight against terrorism, including the background of the failure of the annual efforts of the coalition, which is led by the United States “, – she underlined

The operation Russian Air space forces (VKS) in Syria started on 30 September.. Moscow has repeatedly stressed that acts at the request of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The operation was named the fight against “Islamic state” (an organization banned in Russia) and other terrorist groups. On March 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the objectives of the Ministry of Defense, “generally met”, and announced the withdrawal of the main Russian group from Syria.