Russia Does Not Want Clash With U.S. In Syria: Putin
Russia is ready for any scenario, but does not want a direct military clash with the United States, the country’s President Vladimir Putin told reporters on July 29.
“We are always ready for any scenario, but no one wants this, and on the initiative of the American side we once created a special mechanism to prevent these conflicts. Our heads of certain departments communicate directly with each other, have the opportunity to consult on any crisis situation. This shows that no one wants clashes,” Putin said.
The Russian president was answering a question about recent provocations by the U.S.-led coalition in Syria.
Since the start of this year, the aviation of the coalition has made 23 dangerous approaches to aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the skies over Syria, while drones have violated flight safety in the country 340 times, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The ministry’s Center for Reconciliation in Syria said on July 28 that a U.S. An MQ-9 drone had made a dangerous approach towards a Russian Su-34 fighter bomber over the country.
The U.S.-led coalition, who operates in Syria without the approval of the government, does not acknowledge these incidents and claims that Russia is the side violating flight safety protocols over the country.
Earlier this week, the Pentagon alleged that a Russian fighter jet hit the U.S. drone with a flare and “severely” damaged its propeller over Syria and the White House said that another fighter jet flew “dangerously close” to a second drone.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on July 29 called on Russia to abide by the laws of the sky and cease “irresponsible behavior”.
“We call upon the Russian leadership to make sure that they issue guidance to their troops to abide by the laws of the sky and make sure that they cease this irresponsible behavior,” Austin said, when asked about the recent incidents in a news conference in Brisbane, Australia.
“We’ll continue to engage using the established channels to convey our concern and we’ll continue to engage senior leadership as appropriate. But, again, we will continue to operate, as we have always operated in the airspaces, and we will protect our interests and our resources,” he added.
A military confrontation between U.S. and Russian forces in Syria remains highly unlikely as both sides recognize the risks of such an escalation. However, the coalition’s uncoordinated operations over the country could eventually lead to a serious incident.
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