MOSCOW, November 8 (Itar-Tass) — External players who exert influence on the Syrian opposition are acting inconsistently, and this inconsistency may be conscientious, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Echo of Moscow radio Thursday.
“Russia is doing everything in its power to stop bloodshed and to launch an inclusive political process,” he said. “There’re no magic formulas in that sphere. There is common sense, but it’s rather difficult to attain agreement proceeding from its precepts.”
“However, common sense prevailed in Geneva June 30 and Moscow is convinced that the Geneva communiqu· remains topical,” Ryabkov said.
“We don’t think unilateral concessions on Assad’s part might open up the way to normalization,” he went on. “The countries that have big influence on the Syrian opposition are apparently acting inconsistently. Maybe, they have a calculus envisioning an eventual victory of the irreconcilable opposition.”
“It’s a rather bizarre thing to hear the claims from Western capitals “that Russia is standing on the wrong side of history, as it were.”
“No one but History itself will show who is right and who is wrong,” Ryabkov said. “Moscow’s position is based on a correct and unambiguous interpretation of the norms of international law.”
“Yet we don’t throw up our hands, as we feel confident the chances for peace settlement /in Syria/ still exist,” he said.