US President Barack Obama has described Russia’s escalated military involvement in Syria and support for President Bashar al Assad as “doomed to
ADVERTISEMENTUS President Barack Obama has described Russia’s escalated military involvement in Syria and support for President Bashar al Assad as “doomed to failure.”
Obama said he will underscore to Moscow that its role could derail peace efforts.
“We’re going to be engaging Russia to let them know that you can’t continue to double down on a strategy that is doomed to failure,” he commented.
“It could prevent us from arriving at the political settlement that is ultimately needed to bring a peace back to Syria.”
The US and other western states take the view that peace will only come if Assad is removed from power.
America believes a recent build-up of Russian military equipment and personnel in Syria is an effort to prop up the embattled leader.
Both Moscow and Washington say their enemy is ISIL. But while Russia supports Assad’s government, the US says his presence makes the situation worse.