Russia speaks for continuation of work on Syria in Vienna format - Lavrov

MOSCOW, November 4. /TASS/. Moscow is interested in the strengthening of the Vienna format on Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday at a meeting with United Nations Special Envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura. "We are glad to exchange opinions following a meeting in Vienna on how to promote the process the parameters of which we agreed," Lavrov said. "The Vienna meeting gathered nearly an ideal and timely format, we are interested in its strengthening." "The task of external players is to help Syrians sit down to the negotiating table on the basis of care about their state and people," Lavrov said. "We value the opportunity to exchange views on specific steps to consolidate efforts," he said. According to UN statistics, fighting between Syrian government troops and militants has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions since its start in 2011. Russia’s Aerospace Forces started delivering pinpoint strikes at facilities of the Islamic State terrorist organization in Syria on September 30, 2015. The air group comprises over 50 aircraft and helicopters, including Sukhoi Su-24M, Su-25SM and state-of-the-art Su-34 aircraft. Hundreds of terrorist facilities have been hit by Russian aircraft. On October 7, four missile ships of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla fired 26 Kalibr cruise missiles (NATO codename Sizzler) at militants’ facilities in Syria. On October 8, the Syrian army passed to a large-scale offensive. Russia’s Armed Forces act on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Russian Federation does not plan to take part in ground operations in Syria. Read more