Moscow not deal with Trump on Ukraine, Syria: Russian ambassador in an interview with ILNA

The coming excerpt is focused on “Astana talks, relations with US and Palestine peace.”

ILNA: Many of political analysts believe that the outcomes of Astana summit haven’t been as much positive as expected. Even participation of “Mohammed Alloush”, as the head of Syrian opposition groups has been criticized by Iran while many news circles have been surprised and reacted to this. In this regard, what’s Russia’s opinion about Astana summit and dialogue with the opposition figures?

JAGARIAN: Astana talks should be considered as a good experience, since this is the first time that Iran, Russia and Turkey, with all their disagreements have attended to the talks. Although we have to know that because of such differences in the views, we’ve witnessed disputes in specific areas. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that a significant achievement of the talks can be awarded to the simultaneous participation of Syrian government and opposition in the summit and around the negotiation table, a fact that can be regarded as a major point of the talks.

Alloush’s taking part in the talks can be inspected from several aspects and dimensions. There are those who might say that he has connections with Ahrar al- Sham, but we should consider that only ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra are part of internationally banned terrorist groups. The other point is that before holding the conference, there occurred a very long and excruciating process of bilateral, trilateral and talks at different levels. Numerous issues have been dealt with, secretly and behind the scenes, hence we can say that the Astana summit was a significant and valuable experience.

ILNA: How does “Staffan de Mistura”, UN special envoy in Syria, evaluate the summit? What’s his opinion about it?

JAGARIAN: Since UN and De Mistura himself, are interested in the resumption of political process, to a large extent, he has been impressed by the talks. Even holding Geneva talks in February 8^th, which would be delayed until the end of the month, was declared by him. The delay can also be credited to the fact that both sides want to become ready for presenting ensured and proper approaches. In this regard, even though the meeting on 27^th January between “Sergey Lovrov”, Russian foreign minister and some Syrian opposition figures was held with large disagreement among both sides, but Moscow discussed and expressed it’s detailed view on the issues.  

ILNA: Was there any discussions about Syrian constitutional amendment proposals?

JAGARIAN: We’ve delivered Russian position and views on Syrian constitutional amendment proposals to opposition. The proposal is in Arabic and the suggestion of such proposal is not binding and mandatory for them. This is just Moscow’s view and decisions regarding the constitution should be made by Syrian people themselves. Russia is only trying to speed up the agreement process and in a way is trying to help the talks going forward.  

Instead of ISIS, “Barack Obama” former US president, has taken Russia as the main enemy, he added.

ILNA: Many believe that the implementation of “Donald Trump” US president’s proposal in creating safe and no-fly zones in the region would lead to the conflict of interests between Moscow and Washington. Meantime the proposal has been suggested and followed by Turkey from about two years ago. Do you believe that such a proposal would cause conflict of interests and worsening of security and human condition in Syria?

JAGARIAN: In the first phone call between “Vladimir Putin”, Russian president and Donald Trump, which has lasted about 45 minutes, various issues and topics have been discussed. Topics like Syria, Ukraine and JCPOA were among them, but I have to note that I’m not aware of the details of conversation. Overall, one of the major themes of these dialogues has been the fight against ISIS. Trump has so far emphasized its significance for the United States.

What should be pointed out here is that in Obama’s presidency, there wasn’t any mutual discussion concerning fight against ISIS or even terrorism as a whole and the white house at the time considered Russia as its main enemy. I hope that Trump’s remarks and promises about the United State’s fight against terrorism, would be implemented and enacted. Indeed we are awaiting the first meeting between the two leaders.

ILNA:  How do you describe the interrelations between Russia and the United States? What are the major concerns in their relations? Are you also considering militaristic collaborations in Syria?

JAGARIAN: Yes indeed. We’re considering military partnership in the same way that we stress the political cooperation. With regard to terroristic activities of groups like ISIS and Al-Nusra, it’s important to note that the intensity of their activities in areas like Tadmor, Deir ez-Zor and other areas of Syria is heightening and ongoing and hasn’t been stopped. The key point is that how Americans view the issue. A year ago Washington has vowed to separate moderate opposition groups from the terrorists and was committed to publish the list of those organizations, but unfortunately such a commitment hasn’t been met and enacted by them and Russia had to get the job done. We have to persuade the oppositions and make them aware of the fact that there’s no military solution and the political process should go on. Meantime we have to become united against the terrorists.

ILNA: Some believe that close relationship between Trump and Putin in the Syria would ease the process of negotiations between the two countries. They even call the deal “strategic” in a way that the US was demanding “Bashar al-Assad”, Syrian president, to leave and the Russia was calling for an end to the sanctions against Moscow in the Ukraine case. What’s your opinion about this?

JAGARIAN: What’s important to note about Ukraine is that “Hillary Clinton”, US presidential candidate, tried to use the issue in her debates with Trump. Even some European countries raised the topic against Trump. Nonetheless, what’s considerable in US and Russia’s relation about Ukraine is the precise enactment and implementation of “Minsk Agreement.” Although the European countries are complaining about the Minsk agreement to the United Nation but the fact is that we have to ask them why aren’t they put pressure on current Ukraine government to fully implement the agreement and are only pointing their fingers toward Russia and accusing it? In this case we are almost certain that the Ukrainian government would not enact the deal.

Meanwhile, we can’t say that there’s going to be a deal about Syria or Ukraine between Russia and the United States. A deal in a way that would make the US side to support Moscow in the Ukrainian crisis and also make Russia to supply and support US interests in Syria. Therefore since these are separate cases, all these arguments would be considered as speculations and hence wrong.

ILNA:  Another issue that should be mentioned here is the Palestinian peace process. Moscow, to the large extent, has tried to play its role. Was there any reference to the subject in frequent call between Russian president and “Benjamin Netanyahu”, Israeli prime minister?

JAGARIAN: Unfortunately, due to the heightened ground and political tensions in the Syrian case, Palestine has been largely ignored and was forgotten. During the last several days, a conference on this matter has been held. “Sergey Lavrov” Russian foreign minister and “Mikhail Bogdanov” deputy foreign minister along with representatives from different Palestinian groups from Gaza, Ramallah and Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine have attended the conference. Russian’s positions have been extensively restated. We tried to emphasize that the Palestinian peace process should be followed and resolve under the general assembly of United Nation’s resolutions.  The major issue that has so far slowed down the process, is the lack of unity among Palestinian groups, in a way that we are seeing that Hamas and Palestinian National Authority, don’t have the needed integrity.A situation which would lead to the failure of any peace process. In this regard, the Palestinian should know that no one except them can let such procedure, proceed, although Russian attempt in this area would continue. We hope that with the help of Russia’s relationship with Tel Aviv, we would be able to organize and arrange the whole process. Overall we should not ignore Arabic and Islamic countries.Which means that the Islamic countries should take part to resolve the matter.