Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond dismissed Russian criticism that he was spreading “dangerous disinformation”, saying there was a limit to how long Russia could pose as a promoter of the peace process while bombing Assad’s opponents, who the west hopes can shape Syria once the president is gone, The Guardian reported.
“Is Russia really committed to a peace process or is it using the peace process as a fig leaf to try to deliver some kind of military victory for Assad that creates a mini state in the north-west of Syria?” Hammond told reporters in Rome.
The comments indicate growing frustration in western capitals about Putin’s intervention, alongside Iran, in Syria but also give a frank insight into the western assessment of the Kremlin’s potential objectives for Syria, PJ Media reported.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticised Hammond for questioning Russia’s military action in Syria, saying his statements could not be taken seriously.
“To make such accusations is not logical, it is not correct. It contradicts the essence of those efforts that Russia is making in Syria,” Peskov told reporters.
Hammond also said Russia was strengthening Islamic State on the ground by propping up Assad and bombing his opponents and thus driving moderate Sunnis into the hands of militants, Reuters reported.
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