The United States has criticised Russian sales of missiles to the Syrian government, slamming the move as "ill-timed" after the two countries agreed to hold an international conference to help bring about a political solution to the conflict in Syria.
The most senior US military officer, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Martin Dempsey, stated,
He went on to say,
Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey and the committee chairman, also added,
The most senior US military officer, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Martin Dempsey, stated,
“It is at the very least an unfortunate decision which will embolden the regime and prolong the suffering”.However Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended the decision saying, the sales would not "not in any way alter the balance of forces in this region or give any advantage in the fight against the opposition".
He went on to say,
“We haven’t concealed that we have been supplying weapons to Syria based on signed contracts without violating any international treaties or Russian legislation, one of the strictest in the world in terms of export control”.US Senators have also slammed the move, with Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, the senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, saying,
“This weapons transfer is obviously disappointing and will set back efforts to promote the political transition that is in the best interests of the Syrian people and the region”.
“There is now greater urgency for the U.S. to step up assistance to the moderate opposition forces who can lead Syria after Assad.”
Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey and the committee chairman, also added,
“Russia is offering cover to a despotic ruler and defending a bankrupt regime".