Russia reaffirms S-300 commitment, calls it a ‘stabilising factor’

The Hindu
May 28, 2013

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday that Moscow has a contract for the delivery of S-300 missiles (in picture) to Syria and sees the deal as a key deterrent against foreign invasion in that country. File photo

In an angry reaction to the lifting of a European Union (EU) embargo on arms for Syrian rebels, Russia has reaffirmed plans to supply advanced air defence missiles to the Syrian government forces.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused the EU of “throwing fuel on the fire” by letting its Syria arms embargo expire.

Mr. Ryabkov told an urgently called press conference on Tuesday that Russia would not scrap its contract to supply Syria with S-300 long-range air defence systems despite “signals” from Western capitals.

“We see no reason to review our stance,” he said, adding S-300 would be useful in deterring “hotheads” from internationalising the conflict in Syria.

Earlier, an official had said Moscow would refrain from supplying S-300 to Syria. Mr. Ryabkov stressed that Moscow was “disappointed” by the EU decision, which “harmed” the prospects of an international peace conference jointly proposed by Russia and the U.S.

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[hat tip: Emmanuel Buckshi]