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Conflict in Syria

Steinmeier says Syrian settlement impossible without Russia

The end of the civil war in Syria is impossible without Russia, Saudi Arabia or Turkey, says the German foreign minister

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier EPA/MAURIZIO GAMBARINI

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

© EPA/MAURIZIO GAMBARINI

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BERLIN, August 9. /TASS/. The settlement of the conflict in Syria is impossible without Russia and major players in the Middle East, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in an interview with the Bild newspaper published on Tuesday.

"We do not have any illusions about Russia’s role in Syria. The end of the civil war in Syria is impossible without Moscow, as well as without Iran, Saudi Arabia or Turkey," Steinmeier said.

However, the German foreign minister stressed that "the political future of the country will be and should be without (Syrian President Bashar) Assad though his supporters will play a certain role in Syria during the transition period."

"What is happening in Syria is a tragedy," Steinmeier said particularly noting the situation in Aleppo. "A brutal fight for power in the region has been going on for five years, and ordinary people suffer. Many parties in this fight are not currently interested in bringing the conflict to an end," he concluded.

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