AP, Moscow :
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia would consider sending troops to fight in Syria if Damascus were to ask for it.
Russia on Thursday urged the United States and its allies to engage the Syrian government as a “partner” in the fight against the Islamic State group amid concerns over an ongoing Russian military buildup there.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem denied reports on Thursday that Russian combat troops were fighting in Syria but said Syria would not hesitate to ask for Russia’s help if needed. Dmitry Peskov in comments to Russian news agencies on Friday said if such a request is made, it will be “discussed and considered,” but he insisted the question is purely hypothetical at this stage.
Meanwhile, the White House said on Thursday it was open to limited talks with Russia following Moscow’s deployment of troops and heavy weapons to war-torn Syria.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States could be willing to take up a Russian offer of talks so long as they were “tactical, practical discussions.” Amid suspicions that Russia is moving to further prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Barack Obama’s critics are sure to pounce on the decision. It was not immediately clear whether the discussions would be held by the military or civilians, or at what level.
Military dialogue between Russia and the United States had been suspended since 2014, following Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine.
The White House said it would use the talks to urge Russia to focus its actions in Syria on countering the Islamic State group.
Moscow has long portrayed Assad’s army as a bulwark against Islamist rebels, including the Islamic State, and has sent military equipment and trainers to bolster his position. Washington views Assad as a pariah who shoulders the blame for driving Syria into a civil war that has killed 240,000 people and displaced four million.
“We have made clear that Russia’s military actions inside of Syria, if they are used to prop up the Assad regime, would be destabilizing and counterproductive,” said Earnest.
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia would consider sending troops to fight in Syria if Damascus were to ask for it.
Russia on Thursday urged the United States and its allies to engage the Syrian government as a “partner” in the fight against the Islamic State group amid concerns over an ongoing Russian military buildup there.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem denied reports on Thursday that Russian combat troops were fighting in Syria but said Syria would not hesitate to ask for Russia’s help if needed. Dmitry Peskov in comments to Russian news agencies on Friday said if such a request is made, it will be “discussed and considered,” but he insisted the question is purely hypothetical at this stage.
Meanwhile, the White House said on Thursday it was open to limited talks with Russia following Moscow’s deployment of troops and heavy weapons to war-torn Syria.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States could be willing to take up a Russian offer of talks so long as they were “tactical, practical discussions.” Amid suspicions that Russia is moving to further prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Barack Obama’s critics are sure to pounce on the decision. It was not immediately clear whether the discussions would be held by the military or civilians, or at what level.
Military dialogue between Russia and the United States had been suspended since 2014, following Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine.
The White House said it would use the talks to urge Russia to focus its actions in Syria on countering the Islamic State group.
Moscow has long portrayed Assad’s army as a bulwark against Islamist rebels, including the Islamic State, and has sent military equipment and trainers to bolster his position. Washington views Assad as a pariah who shoulders the blame for driving Syria into a civil war that has killed 240,000 people and displaced four million.
“We have made clear that Russia’s military actions inside of Syria, if they are used to prop up the Assad regime, would be destabilizing and counterproductive,” said Earnest.
