Lavrov: US trying to establish mini-state in Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the United States is playing a dangerous game by entertaining the idea of a unified Kurdistan, according to TASS, teleSUR reported.

"The question is why it is not necessary to wait for the launch of a reliable political process on the Euphrates east bank that is controlled by the United States. There is only one answer to it - it is planned to establish a territory that would be a kind of a prototype of a new state. Or it will be another round of the most dangerous game with Iraqi Kurdistan, the idea of the so-called unified Kurdistan," Lavrov said.

The minister explained that the United States is trying to establish a system of power to replace legitimate Syrian authorities as well as maintaining tension in the region in the name of self-interest.

“This story will only end when the Syrian people are back in control of Syria and when everyone involved, especially those who came there uninvited, leave,” Lavrov said. "Neither the United States nor France nor other Western countries want to create conditions for the return of refugees on the territories that are controlled by Syria’s legitimate government until… a reliable political process is launched.”

Lavrov also accused Washington of "illegitimate" activity in the Syrian zone of the East Bank of Euphrates.

"I do not think Idleb is the last area of problems within Syrian territory since impermissible things happen in a large area east of the Euphrates," the minister said, adding that the United States is trying to establish a mini-state in the area.