Putin: Russia to Continue Military Support to Syria, ’ISIL’ Endangers EU States

Local Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country will continue to supply the Syrian government with military assistance. However, Moscow is concerned about "ISIL"-trained militants returning to EU countries, the CIS and Russia.

The Russian leader, speaking at the Collective Security Treaty Organization [CSTO] summit in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe, indicated that Russia "gives technical-military support to Damascus and will continue doing it," he said. "And we call on other countries to join us in this."

He also stressed that both Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and the so-called opposition forces should unite to battle the Takfiris.

"Now we have to unite the efforts of the Syrian government and the Kurdish self-defense forces and the so-called moderate opposition, and other countries in the [Middle East] region to fight the threat to Syria's statehood and terrorism."

Russia is calling for uniting the efforts of all forces eager to fight terrorism, said Putin.

He added, "Russia, as you know, has proposed to form a wide coalition to fight extremists without any delay. It [the coalition] should unite everyone who is ready and is already contributing to tackling terrorism."

Furthermore, Putin voiced concerns that the "ISIL" terrorist group possesses designs on the holy cities of Mecca, Medina and al-Quds [Jerusalem] and endangers Europe and Russia.

The situation is very serious, Putin said, adding that Moscow is very worried that "ISIL" terrorists are publicly announcing their designs on Mecca, Medina and al-Quds [Jerusalem]. The Takfiris also plan to spread their activities to Europe, Russia, central and southeastern Asia.

"Extremists from many countries of the world, including, unfortunately, European counties, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States [CIS] undertake ideological and military training in the ranks of "ISIL"," said Putin.

"And certainly we are worried that they could possibly return," he added.

The Russian President said it's necessary for geopolitical ambitions to be set aside in the fight against "ISIL" terrorists.

"Simple common sense, responsibility for global and regional safety require uniting efforts of the international community [to fight] such a threat. It is necessary to set aside geopolitical ambitions, drop so-called double standards, the policy of direct or indirect use of separate terrorist groups for achieving own goals, including removing the governments and regimes."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team