Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Tug of War between Moscow, Washington on Syria | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55361349
Caption:

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) listens to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as they arrive for the opening of the Army-2015 international military forum in Kubinka, outside Moscow, Russia, June 16, 2015. Putin said on Tuesday Russia would add more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal this year and a defense official accused NATO of provoking a new arms race. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov


Beirut- Moscow continues to downplay U.S.-Russia cooperation, offsetting any efforts on drafting a political solution for the crisis in Syria.

“The prospects for the start of a negotiation process and the return to peaceful life in Syria are postponed for an indefinite period,” Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said on Tuesday.

Shoygu’s statement comes a few days later to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin admitting that talks on stopping bloodshed in Syria with U.S. President Barack Obama have ended with failure.

Political monitors say that Moscow and Washington have been going back and forth on Syria, as Russia hopes to take Washington to negotiations before it is dragged into the deep Syria ‘swamp,’ and drained of military and economy powers after backing ally Syrian regime head Bashar al-Assad beyond capacity.

Secretary-General of the Syrian Coalition Abdul Ilah Fahd said that the political indecision on an international level for Syria suggests that there is no nearing political or military solution, especially as the regime continues with its failure to secure its position in Aleppo and Idlib.

Russia’s fluctuating political stance blocks chances of arriving to international or national concession on the Syria crisis—first, Russian foreign policy lured the U.S. with ceasefires announced in Aleppo, then counteracted progress with escalatory statements.

Even though Shyogu’s statements suggested a prolonged Russian military campaign in Syria, it cannot be considered a final take on matters. Russia’s economy is unable to further support the campaign in Syria, and now more than ever, the Kremlin desires for the negotiations to kickoff.