Russia’s deputy United Nations envoy condemned “illegitimate” U.S. strikes in Syria and said the consequences for regional and international stability could be extremely serious.
Vladimir Safronkov’s comments come after the U.S. launched nearly 60 missiles into Syria, targeting the government-controlled Shayrat airbase.
At a special meeting of the UN on Friday, Safronkov described the U.S. strike — over a deadly toxic gas attack in Syria that left at least 80 people dead — as “attempt to distract attention from the many victims amongst the peaceful population in Iraq and Syria caused by unilateral actions.”
Safronkov said Russia is calling on the United States “to immediately cease its aggression” and join efforts to bring peace to Syria and “work together to combat the terrorist threat.” He strongly criticized what he called the U.S. “flagrant violation of international law and an act of aggression.”
He said Russia firmly stands by the Syrian government, calling it the main force against terrorism and saying it deserves the presumption of innocence in the chemical weapons attack.
The airstrike early Friday local time in Syria targeted the Shayrat military airbase in Homs. (CBC)
But Safronkov offered a way ahead for the Trump administration — stop attacks, pursue a political settlement, and work jointly to combat “the terrorist threat.”
Was Russia part of chemical attack
Meanwhile, senior military officials say the U.S. is looking into whether Russia participated in Syria’s chemical weapons attack earlier this week.
The officials say Russia has failed to control the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons.
They say a drone belonging either to Russia or Syria was seen hovering over the site of the chemical weapons attack Tuesday after it happened. The drone returned late in the day as citizens were going to a nearby hospital for treatment. Shortly afterward, officials say the hospital was bombed.
The officials say they believe the hospital attack may have been an effort to cover up evidence of the attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is scheduled to visit Moscow next week. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)
Tillerson in Russia next week
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is still scheduled to visit Moscow next week, Interfax news agency cited a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson as saying on Friday.
Maria Zakharova said the ministry expected Tillerson to explain Washington’s stance in light of the U.S. missile strike on Syria.
“Let him come [to Moscow] and tell what strange things they did,” she said, according to Interfax.
