Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that Russia has already begun supplying the S-300 air-defense systems to Syria.
When asked in a press conference at the United Nations about the possibility of a swap system that would allow Iran to sell its oil after the resumption of US financial sanctions in November, Lavrov replied that all ideas were on the table for discussion.
He added that “the measures we will take will be devoted to ensure 100 percent safety and security of our men in Syria, and we will do this.”
On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Moscow would deliver S-300 air-defense-systems to the Syrian regime within two weeks, following the downing of a Russian Il-20 military reconnaissance aircraft last week.
Shoigu claimed that Israel was responsible for the downing of the Russian plane, as quoted by Russian media.
The delivery of the systems would seem to be a message to Tel Aviv, despite a visit by an Israeli delegation to Moscow to resolve the problem.
Russia says misled by Israel in plane downing over Syria
Russias Defense Minister said that: “All radars and communication devices for forces that are striking the Syrian regime forces near the Syrian border on the Mediterranean Sea will be stopped.”
He explained that the delivery of these modern systems has not been made earlier because of the Israeli reservations, noting that “these systems are able to intercept any aircraft more than 250 kilometers away and can hit several targets in the air at the same time.”
No safe passage for militants
Russia on Friday warned it will not allow jihadists in Syria to be sent to Afghanistan or elsewhere under a deal reached with Turkey that averted a large-scale military assault on rebel-held Idlib province.
Under the deal, Turkey agreed to separate opposition fighters from hardline jihadists who belong to groups branded as terrorists by the United Nations, but the fate of those extremists remains uncertain.
"There is talk that they will be sent off to other hotspots, for example Afghanistan," Lavrov told a news conference at UN headquarters. "This is unacceptable."
"They have to be eliminated or there has to be a judicial process," he said.
Russia and Turkey reached the agreement after the United Nations and Western powers warned that an all-out assault on Idlib would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe in the province of three million people.
The deal calls for the creation of a buffer zone to be established by October 15 from which all fighters must withdraw to allow joint Russian-Turkish patrols.
Lavrov met with his counterparts from Iran and Turkey this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss next steps in the agreement on Idlib.
Iran and Russia provide vital military support for Syrian forces while Turkey supports armed groups. The three countries last year set up the Astana group, which has largely eclipsed UN efforts in Syria.
Lavrov said Turkey faced "not a simple task" in Idlib, noting that the United States had also promised to persuade moderate fighters to split from the jihadist groups but failed to deliver.
UN diplomats say the agreement between Russia and Turkey to avert an offensive on Idlib has created an opportunity to jumpstart political talks.
On Thursday, seven countries including the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt urged UN envoy Staffan de Mistura to urgently set up a committee on drafting a post-war constitution for Syria.
But Lavrov said preparations for the committee should not be rushed.
"We know that pressure is being applied to Staffan de Mistura," said Lavrov, adding that "it would be a grave mistake" to force the warring sides to begin work without an agreement.
More than 360,000 people have died in the war in Syria, now in its eighth year, and millions have been
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Last Update: Saturday, 29 September 2018 KSA 10:42 – GMT 07:42
