MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Russia is doing its best to help Syria, which was hit by a powerful earthquake, but it cannot pressure the sovereign state to expand access to humanitarian aid there, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
"No, Russia is not putting pressure on the legitimate leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic. We are in constant contact. Russia is making enormous efforts to help the victims of this devastating earthquake in Syria," he said in reply to corresponding questions.
As for all other issues related to the provision of humanitarian aid to Syrians affected by the earthquake, "they can and should be promptly resolved in contact with the Syrian authorities," the Kremlin spokesman added.
In response to a question about whether Russia was making efforts to open other checkpoints for humanitarian aid deliveries, Peskov reiterated: "It depends on the decision of the Syrian Arab Republic."
"You know that we are finding ways for our experts, our rescuers to work there. Our military is assisting in debris removal. And they continue to deliver humanitarian aid there. All other issues are the prerogative of the legitimate Syrian authorities," he concluded.
According to the latest figures from the Syrian Health Ministry, the death toll from the February 6 earthquake in government-controlled territory has risen to 1,414, with another 2,349 victims taken to hospitals with injuries and wounds.