Russia Defends Role in Syria

Russia’s engagement in the Syrian crisis prevented militants from gaining control over Damascus, cut down their military and economic base and helped win back some captured Syrian territories, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin told the UN Security Council.

“Russia’s [air forces] managed to prevent terrorists from gaining control over Damascus. We significantly cut down military and economic capabilities of militant groups and helped win back vast territories,” Churkin said at a UN Security Council meeting in New York on Friday, Russia Today reported.

Russia keeps on trying to mediate the dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition forces to “come to a consensus and diplomatically settle the crisis”, Churkin added.

“We are convinced that there is no alternative to the political resolution [than the one] based on the inclusive inter-Syrian dialogue with the parallel provision of ceasefire, access to humanitarian aid and continuation of the fight against terrorism,” the Russian envoy said.