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Fight against Islamic state

No solution in Syria without victory over terrorists — Russian diplomat

The president of Russia’s Council for International Affairs, Igor Ivanov believes that the presence of Russian military in Syria in coordination with the ground operation may yield certain benefits

© AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File

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Political settlement in Syria can start only after stage of anti-terror struggle — Kremlin

SOCHI, October 22. /TASS/. Political settlement in Syria will be impossible until the terrorists have suffered serious losses, the president of Russia’s Council for International Affairs, Igor Ivanov, said on the sidelines of the international discussion club Valdai in Sochi on Thursday.

"Without inflicting serious losses upon the terrorists in Syria it will make no sense to discuss any political settlement issues, because the focus of attention is now on military operations," he explained.

"I believe that the presence of our military in Syria in coordination with the ground operation may yield certain benefits," Ivanov said. "It is hard for me to tell how much time it will take. It depends on many factors."

He pointed out that discussions on a political settlement should begin right away, without waiting for the moment specific results are achieved on the ground.

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Syria Fight against terrorism Islamic State

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