The Russian Defense Ministry does not intend to change the strategy of its military operation in Syria in accordance with recommendations from the West, the Russian Defense Ministry’s official spokesman, Igor Konashenkov, said.
"We have heard advice from the Pentagon on the need to change our strategy in Syria to ‘help’ the US attain a political transition of power there. We will remind especially for such advisors that the aim of our operation in Syria is to destroy terrorism, which is a direct and clear threat to the security of our country and the world," Interfax cited him as saying.
Konashenkov stressed that only Syrians themselves with international mediation should resolve all political issues, "and not in tranches but at the negotiating table."
"We have clearly seen over the last five years the results of Washington’s strategies of ‘political transitions’ in the Middle East. There is devastation, blood and refugees everywhere. Is this why foreign strategists are now talking about the necessity of launching ground operations in Syria and Libya?" Konashenkov asked.
