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Kremlin rules out ‘barter’ on refugees in exchange for lifting sanctions

There can be no deal on possible Russian assistance to Europe to cope with the refugee crisis in exchange for lifting sanctions

© Armin Weigel/dpa via AP

MOSCOW, October 29. /TASS/. The Kremlin believes there can be no deal on the possible Russian assistance to Europe in coping with the current unprecedented refugee crisis in exchange for lifting sanctions against Moscow.

"Barter is absolutely unsuitable here, such an approach is certainly absolutely ruled out," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Russia is helping Syria’s authorities in their fight against terrorism and extremism taking into consideration its own interests, he reminded.

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"But while fulfilling these tasks Russia simultaneously helps Europeans to solve the refugee problem in its origin," he said.

The refugee crisis flared up due to the chaos provoked by the rule of terrorists and extremists in Syria, Iraq and other neighboring countries, he explained.

Russia’s actions in Syria pursue the goals of ensuring regional security, the Kremlin spokesman stressed.

Peskov noted that in the sanctions issue, Russia has repeatedly said that "such approaches have no prospects and have their toll on the interests" of taxpayers of those countries that introduce these sanctions.

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Sanctions vs. Russia Refugee crisis

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