Putin: No Military Action in Idlib in Near Future, Focus Is To Help Civilians Everywhere

Local Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he does not foresee any military action in Syria’s Idlib in the near future, stressing that peace –not fighting– is the ultimate goal.

Putin made his comments as he spoke at a briefing with Austria’s Sebastian Kurz in St Petersburg.

"I do not see any military action in the zone in the foreseeable future, we don't want fighting in this area – what we want is to achieve peace, and the instruments that we've chosen have been effective so far," Putin said in St. Petersburg.

He further stressed that the humanitarian approach in Idlib "should be on helping people," whether they live in territories controlled by the Syrian government or by the opposition.

"We shouldn't really care where these people live, they need to be helped. They shouldn't suffer," Putin added.

Furthermore, he outlined Austria's readiness to join humanitarian efforts in Syria.

Kurz, for his part, also spoke about Syria, stating that "Russia, as a great power, has a great responsibility to find a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine and in Syria." He added that foreign troops need to leave Syria.

The Austrian chancellor spoke positively of Austria-Russia relations, saying the two countries have a "high level of cooperation" with one another. He added that EU countries should maintain dialogue with Russia and strive for improving relations with Moscow.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team