ANTALYA, November 16. Russia is ready to support the efforts of the armed opposition in Syria to fight against ISIS (banned in the Russian Federation terrorist group “Islamic state”, also known as ISIL), this could be the basis for further political settlement. This was stated by the President Vladimir Putin.
SPECIAL project
From Russia with support
As the aircraft of the Russian Federation helps to fight with terrorists in Syria
“Part of the armed opposition believes that it is possible with the support of Russia to begin active operations against ISIL, and we are ready to provide air support”,- he said. “If this happens, it can be a good base for further work on a political settlement,” Putin said.
However, he urged other countries to this work. “We really need the support of the USA, European countries, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran,” he said.
Putin did not agree that Russia has been criticized by the international community for its actions in Syria. “Yes, and it’s hard to criticise us,” he said. The President reminded that Russia has repeatedly offered to partners to provide targets in Syria on which Russia could strike.
“We are afraid to give areas that don’t need to strike, fearing that it is there we will blow to cause that we all cheat,” said he.
“Apparently, people think about us based on our own ideas of decency”,- said the President of the Russian Federation. Putin also said that Russia now has established contacts “called on the battlefield” part of the so-called irreconcilable armed Syrian opposition, who asked not to attack those territories that it controls.
About the settlement of the crisis
We need to decide who in Syria be considered terrorists and who the political opposition to create conditions for resolving the crisis, Putin said.
Putin is convinced that first it is necessary to suppress ISIS, and only then to discuss reforms in Syria.
“The first thing we must do is to combine their efforts in the fight against terror and terrorist organizations and on this basis to agree on political reforms”, he told journalists.
To listen to this audio clip you can download Quicktime.
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, about the changes in Syria (0:34)
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Putin also urged not to try now to evaluate what the country is effective in fighting against ISIS. He noticed that now the main thing – “to unite efforts against the common threat”.
The head of state emphasised that terrorist attacks no one is immune. As an example, he cited France, which has taken a tough stance against President Bashar al-Assad. “Well, not only did it save Paris from a terrorist attack? There is no” – said Putin.
About Turkey’s position
Putin noted the convergence of views with the Turkish leader on the issue of the need for a political solution to the Syrian crisis as the only possible option.
“We (with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan) yesterday talked a lot about bilateral relations and the issue of the Syrian settlement. It seemed to me that we can find some common points that will enable us to achieve overall success. The President of Turkey, yesterday he told me straight, believes that the Syrian crisis can only be resolved by political means. And we need to create conditions for advancing political process”, – said the President of the Russian Federation.
In General, Putin said that after the recent elections in Turkey did not feel “any difficulties” in working with the leadership of this country, which worked in the past.
“Quite the contrary. We can state some convergence of our positions. Turkey’s President – the person open and straightforward. A tough negotiator, but he is very experienced and clearly dedicated to finding a solution,” said the President of the Russian Federation.
“ISLAMIC STATE”
“Islamic state” (ISIS) – an Islamist terrorist organization operating inside Iraq and Syria. Established on 15 October 2006 by the merger of 11 radical Sunni groups. The core group forming the militants, who fought with American troops during their stay in Iraq and with the forces of the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
The IG recognized as a terrorist organization in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, UAE, India, Indonesia, and Russia (29 December 2014).
