Russia warns US against destabilizing Syria

RUSSIA has warned the U.S. and its allies against any steps that could destabilize the situation in Syria.

Asked to comment on possible U.S. strikes, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said yesterday that “it’s necessary to avoid any steps that may fuel tensions in Syria.” Dmitry Peskov added that it would have an “utterly destructive impact on the Syrian settlement.”

Peskov wouldn’t say if Moscow could use a Russian-U.S. military hotline to avoid escalation in the event of a U.S. strike, saying only that “the hotline exists and has remained active.”

Moscow also warned the U.S. and its allies against assuming the role of a “global policeman” in response to what it describes as fake claims of chemical weapons use in Syria.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Western leaders have no authority to be “investigators, prosecutors and executioners.” Zakharova described the allegations as fake, but said the international chemical weapons watchdog should investigate them. She said Russia would ensure the monitors’ security.

She called for de-escalating the situation, urging the West to carefully weigh the consequences before taking any action.

Russia and Iran both maintain troops at air bases across regimecontrolled areas of Syria. Russia has warned that any strike that hurts Russian soldiers would bring about swift retribution. Iran also has numerous options to respond to any American punitive attack in Syria, hurting the U.S. or its allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia.

Tehran is already threatening retaliation for an attack on a Syrian air base this week that killed seven Iranians; an attack Iran, Syria and Russia have blamed on Israel.