Syria - Russia & India Report

5 obstacles to peace in Syria

Alexey Eremenko — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:10:00 +0400

RIA Novosti contacted leading Russian experts on the Middle East who spelled out five problems that stand between Syria and peace

EMERCOM sends more relief for Syrian refugees in Lebanon

ITAR-TASS — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:52:00 +0400

The Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations has sent another batch of humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, EMERCOM spokeswoman Irina Rossius told Tass on Wednesday

Foreign Minister Lavrov speaks on Syria, Arctic and Obama

Vladislav Vorobyov — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:31:00 +0400

In an interview with Rossiiskaya Gazeta, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke about preparations for the upcoming conference on Syria, the problem of security in the Arctic and the Russian response to a letter from US President Barack Obama

Does the path to peace in Syria run through Geneva?

Andrei Ilyashenko — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:48:00 +0400

The campaign to resolve the Syrian crisis has entered a new phase. However, if the upcoming international conference, dubbed Geneva-2, focuses entirely on increasing the pressure on President Bashar al-Assad, there will be a long way to go before pe

Russia’s General Staff rejects intervention in Syria

RIA Novosti — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:17:00 +0400

Russia’s General Staff is opposed to military intervention in Syria, saying this would be meddling in the war-torn country’s domestic affairs, Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff, Col. Gen. Alexander Postnikov said

Lavrov says he does not understand why media turn Russian arms exports to Syria into sensation

The Voice of Russia — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:17:00 +0400

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said he does not understand why the world media have turned deliveries of Russian defensive weapons to Syria into a sensation

Last chance to prevent a Mediterranean Somalia

Simon Saradzhyan — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:54:00 +0400

The Syrian peace conference that Russia and America’s top diplomats have agreed to organize in the next few weeks might be the last chance for this Arab country’s warring factions to find a political solution to their conflict and prevent the sliding

Syria down to abyss unless violence stops

Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:11:00 +0400

Though acts of violence in the country are committed by both the government forces as well as rebels, the barbarity on the parts of the rebels has defied all human notion of civility, even in conflict

CIS Security Services to track Syria mercenaries - FSB

RIA Novosti — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:28:00 +0400

The security services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states will be closely monitoring the movement of mercenaries from CIS nations fighting in Syria, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) head Alexander Bortnikov said on We

5 questions on Russian S-300 missile system sales to Syria

Alexey Eremenko — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:53:00 +0400

If fresh media reports are true, Russia may soon provide Damascus – or already has – with advanced S-300 air defense systems, tipping the balance in the devastating 26-month conflict. But the “if” is a big one

Why Russia activates Army, Fleet on Black Sea

Alexander Sadchikov — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:50:00 +0400

Moscow is clearly designating its military presence in the regions because of the aggravating situation in Syria

Putin, Netanyahu agreed to continue contacts for peaceful settlement of Syrian crisis

ITAR-TASS — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:21:00 +0400

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu agreed to continue contacts for a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis. The Israeli prime minister has made a statement to this effect, adding that the leaders of the

Russian President, Israeli Premier to talk Syria

RIA Novosti — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:50:00 +0400

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday to discuss the crisis in Syria, the Kremlin’s press service said on Monday

Turkey car bombs plot to derail Syria conference – Pushkov

The Voice of Russia — Sat, 11 May 2013 21:54:00 +0400

The Russian Lower House’s foreign affairs head Alexey Pushkov tweeted Saturday that blaming the Reyhanli bombings on the Syrian government betrays a design to derail the proposed international conference on Syria and justify foreign military interven

An international meeting featuring Syria’s sides in conflict improbable before end May - source

ITAR-TASS — Sat, 11 May 2013 17:00:00 +0400

Organisation of an international meeting with participation of Syria’s sides in the conflict is improbable before end of May, a source in the Russian delegation at the negotiations between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and the UK Prime Minister D

Russia has no plans to sell S-300 systems to Syria - Lavrov

ITAR-TASS — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:42:00 +0400

Russia has no plans to sell S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems to Syria and is completing its arms deliveries under the previous contracts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a joint news conference with his German and Polish co

Lavrov, Brahimi discuss Syria situation

The Voice of Russia — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:52:00 +0400

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Special Envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi discussed the prospects for settling the Syrian crisis by political and diplomatic methods over the phone on May 9, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website

Damascus welcomes Russia-US rapprochement on Syria crisis

RIA Novosti — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:58:00 +0400

Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed on Thursday rapprochement between the United States and Russia over resolving the crisis in the war-torn country, the Syrian state news agency has reported

EU "very satisfied" with US-Russian accord on Syria

The Voice of Russia — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:02:00 +0400

The European Union on Wednesday said it was "very satisfied" with a joint US-Russia call for a peace conference on Syria

UN has testimony of Syrian rebels using sarin gas

RIA Novosti — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:25:00 +0400

Sarin is a highly toxic nerve agent, which was reportedly first used for military purposes during the Iran–Iraq war in the 1980s

Moscow worried by Israeli airstrikes on Syria

RIA Novosti — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:16:00 +0400

A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday described the reports of recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria as “particularly worrying.”

Russian, Syrian foreign ministers discuss situation in Syria

The Voice of Russia — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:42:00 +0400

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mualem has informed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov by telephone about Israeli air strikes against Syrian targets

Moscow sees signs of preparations for intervention in Syria conflict - Foreign Ministry

The Voice of Russia — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:37:00 +0400

Moscow is concerned about reports suggesting that chemical weapons are being used in Syria and views them as indications that the international community is preparing for a possible intervention in this country from the outside, the Russian Foreign M

Russia against use of refugee problem to set up no fly zones over Syria - Lavrov

The Voice of Russia — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:02:00 +0400

Moscow is against proposals for using the refugee problem as the reason for setting up humanitarian corridors in Syria and no fly zones over the country, seeing such initiatives as preparations for foreign interference in the Syrian conflict, Russian

Moscow ready to talk to Free Syrian Army – Minister

RIA Novosti — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:43:00 +0400

Moscow is ready to hold talks with all representatives of the Syrian opposition, including Salim Idriss, leader of the Free Syrian Army, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday

Russia insists on UN probe of Syria chemical weapons report

RIA Novosti — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:39:00 +0400

Moscow urges the United Nations to respond to Syria’s request to probe the alleged use of chemical weapons on its territory in March, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday

Russian Navy ships ready to evacuate Russians from Syria

ITAR-TASS — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:19:00 +0400

Russian Navy ships in the Mediterranean are ready to evacuate Russian citizens from Syria, Captain Alexei Komarov, commander of a group of Black Sea Fleet landing ships, said upon arrival in Haifa abroad the large landing ship Azov on Wednesday, May

US, Russia grapple with Syria dialogue

M K Bhadrakumar — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:58:00 +0400

The United States President Barack Obama’s news conference on Tuesday practically allays the fears of an American military intervention in Syria.

Russia bans commercial flights over Syria

RIA Novosti — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:16:00 +0400

Russia’s aviation authority issued a decree on Tuesday banning all Russian airlines from flying over Syrian territory following an incident on Monday in which a passenger plane reportedly had to make a detour to avoid military action in the war-torn

Russian authorities caution against flights over ‘war zones’

RIA Novosti — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:53:00 +0400

Russian aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia has urged all Russian airlines to suspend until further notice the flights over countries that are currently caught in military conflicts, following a report of “hostilities” against a Russian passenger plane fly

Missiles fired at Russian plane flying over Syria with 159 people onboard

The Voice of Russia — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:18:00 +0400

The Russian airliner that came under rocket attack in Syrian airspace while carrying 200 holidaymakers from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt has safely landed at its destination airport of Kazan in the Middle Volga River area without even being a second late

Moscow warns against wrong use of WMD claim

RIA Novosti — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:40:00 +0400

Moscow believes using the issue of the alleged deployment of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Syrian conflict to attain geopolitical goals is unacceptable, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday

Syria wants to join the SCO and BRICS - Minister

The Voice of Russia — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:26:00 +0400

Syria would like eventually to join the international associations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS. This was announced on Saturday by Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi during a meeting with the deputy chairman o

Lavrov urges caution over Syria chemical weapons reports

RIA Novosti — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:47:00 +0400

Any reports of the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict must be carefully investigated to avoid the repetition of the “Iraqi scenario,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday

Syria: Will FOS show realism?

M K Bhadrakumar — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:44:00 +0400

It seems improbable that the ‘Friend of Syria’ meet on Friday would back an outright military intervention in Syria

Moscow denies seeking regime change in Syria

RIA Novosti — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:20:00 +0400

Moscow is not in the business of bringing about regime change in Syria or legitimizing such attempts, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday

Syria’s “internal” opposition delegation arrives in Moscow for consultations

Itar-Tass — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:32:00 +0400

The delegation of Syria’s “internal” opposition arrived in Moscow on Monday for consultations, a source in Damascus told Itar-Tass

RF to vote against new resolution on Syria

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 21:54:00 +0400

Russia will not support a new resolution of the U.N. General Assembly on Syria and will vote against it, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, April 13.

Moscow alarmed by Al Qaeda’s interest in Syria

RIA Novosti — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:04:00 +0400

Moscow is concerned by al Qaeda’s growing interest in Syria, fearing that the international terrorist organization is seeking to turn the country into its Mideast base, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday

Syrian rebels funded by Afghan drug sales - Russia

RIA Novosti — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0400

About 20,000 mercenaries fighting in Syria are financed by the proceeds of Afghan drug trafficking, Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service director Viktor Ivanov said on Thursday

Moscow slams UN ‘maneuvering’ on Syria chemical attack probe

RIA Novosti — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 20:41:00 +0400

Moscow believes the United Nations is disrupting an investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria under pressure of “certain states,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday

Russia contributes $1 mln to Red Cross Mission in Syria

RIA Novosti — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:30:00 +0400

Russia has contributed $1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to finance the ICRC humanitarian operation in Syria, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday

Arab League takes a step towards full-scale war in Syria

Munzer Hallun — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:41:00 +0400

Moscow believes the Arab League’s decision at its Doha Summit to offer Syria’s place in the association to the opposition is “completely unhelpful” when it comes to a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the war-torn country

Russia slams Arab League’s decision to arm Syrian rebels

RIA Novosti — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:59:00 +0400

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that the Arab League’s decision to allow its members to supply Syrian opposition forces with weapons broke international laws

Human Rights Watch calls on BRICS to help Syrians

RIR — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:56:00 +0400

Human Rights Watch called on the BRICS countries, meeting in Durban today, to take concrete steps to help the people in war-torn Syria

Syria as an enclave of extremism

Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0400

Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister David Cameron talked over the phone about the Syrian crisis and both the leaders agreed that a political solution is necessary

Syrian Embassy in Moscow refutes Assad death reports

ITAR-TASS — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:58:00 +0400

The Syrian Embassy to Russia has refuted media reports about the death of President Bashar al-Assad. These reports are actively discussed in the Internet

Chemical weapons could be a game changer in Syria

Nikolay Surkov — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:53:00 +0400

Moscow is calling for an impartial international investigation into alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, where civilians are reported to have been killed

Russian military officials deny reports that warships will not tank up in Tartus

ITAR-TASS — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:37:00 +0400

The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the reports that Russian warships will not tank up in Syria's Tartus and that they have been redirected to Lebanon's Beirut to resupply

Russia urges UN to probe Syria chemical weapons reports

RIA Novosti — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:58:00 +0400

Russia hopes the United Nations will respond to Syria’s request to look into allegations of the use of chemical weapons during fighting bewteen rebels and government forces, a senior Foreign Ministry official said on Thursday