In phone talk with Erdogan Putin calls US strikes gross violation of UN Charter

MOSCOW, April 14. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized in his phone conversation with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the steps made by the United States and its allies grossly breach the United Nations Charter and principles of international law, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

The two heads of state think it necessary to intensify bilateral cooperation to get ahead with the political solution in Syria.

"Today, a phone conversation between President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place. [They] discussed escalation around Syria following missile strikes launched by the United States and its allies on the country," the Kremlin said. "Russia’s president underlined that the Western countries’ steps breach grossly the UN Charter and fundamental norms and principles of international law."

The Kremlin pointed out that Russia and Turkey proceed from the fact that "in light of the recent events, bilateral cooperation, aimed at meaningful promotion of the political solution in Syria, should be intensified."

Earlier in the day, Erdogan said that Turkey thought the US-led strike on Syria was right and justified. Besides, he added that relations of Russia and the United States should get back on "peaceful track" as soon as possible.

Missile strike against Syria

According to data of Russia’s Defense Ministry, the missile strike against Syria’s military and civilian infrastructures was carried out by US planes and naval ships in cooperation with British and French air forces between 03:42 and 05:10 Moscow time on Saturday.

As the Russian Defense Ministry reported, the Syrian air defenses shot down 71 out of 103 missiles fired by the United States and its allies.

The United States, Britain and France said the strikes were in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria’s Douma.

On April 7, a number of NGOs, including the White Helmets, alleged that chemical weapons were used in Douma, Eastern Ghouta. According to the statement published on the organization’s website on April 8, chlorine bombs had been dropped on the city, killing dozens and poisoning many locals who had to be brought to the hospital.

The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed that report as fake news. The Defense Ministry added that the White Helmets were notorious for spreading falsehoods.

Representatives of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Sides held a probe in Douma on April 9 but found no traces of chemical weapons use. On April 10, Damascus sent an official invitation to the OPCW to visit Eastern Ghouta. On the same day, OPCW Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu said the organization had made a decision to send its experts to Syria.

OPCW experts arrived in Damascus on Saturday to begin their probe at the scene of the alleged chemical attack.