Russia accuses UK of spreading misinformation
Russia has accused UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond of "dangerously" spreading misinformation about Moscow’s role in Syria.
On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova referred to Hammond's remarks on Moscow's air campaign against terrorists in Syria as a “dangerous stove piping of disinformation.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also described as " completely groundless" the "statements from London and other Western capitals" claiming that Russia's "Air Force operations in Syria are not contributing to the resolution of the conflict."
Lavrov made the remarks in response to Hammond's comments that Russian President Vladimir Putin is undermining international peace efforts in Syria by attacking moderate opposition forces and supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The Russian foreign minister, who made the comments following a meeting with Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi, added that such claims “reflect the anxiety of our Western partners that our Air Force is operating effectively in Syrian airspace,” and that his country is used to the West's “unsubstantiated claims”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also noted that such “illogical and incorrect” claims “cannot be taken seriously”.
He added that Moscow is applying “sufficiently massive and consistent efforts to help Syrians fight terrorists that present danger for the whole world."
Meanwhile, after being informed of Russia’s response to his statement, Hammond said, "I must be pretty spot on then", adding, "The Russians never spout dangerous disinformation, of course."
Moscow began airstrikes against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria on September 30 upon a request by the Syrian government.
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