“We don’t remember successful US projects”: the Foreign Ministry responded to the State Department’s statement about the “destructive role” of the Russian Federation in the Middle East

Russia "plays a destructive role" in the Middle East and "must leave" the region. This was stated by US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs David Schenker.

“The influence of the Russians is not productive or stabilizing in the region, whether in Syria or Libya. This is not about rivalry, but about what has been the cornerstone of US foreign policy for 45 years - to prevent the entry of Russians into the Middle East. Now they are there and play a destructive role. And we believe, in truth, that they should get out of there, ”the US official said during a video conference organized by the Institute for the Middle East in Washington.

In his opinion, Russia managed to gain a foothold in the region due to the “unsuccessful” position of the previous US administration.

“The Obama administration - fortunately or unfortunately - reacted positively to Russia's intervention in the situation in Syria, reasoning that a protracted crisis was brewing there. Russia, using 40 of its aircraft, was able to turn the tide of the war, and the Assad regime has survived to this day. Honestly, I consider this position unsuccessful, ”he said.

Speaking about the "rivalry of great powers" in the Middle East, Schenker said that Washington does not force any country to make this or that choice. However, the US wants states to be aware of the possible consequences that their decisions might entail.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, commenting on Schenker’s remarks, suggested recalling the results of Washington’s policy in the region.

“I would like to clarify which Schenker considers the American project of the last two decades in the Middle East to be successful? .. We can’t recall. Only death and destruction, ”she told RIA Novosti.

Zakharova added that perhaps Mr. Schenker sees the outcome of a “successful project” just like that.

In an interview with RT, Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, suggested that this statement could have two goals: try to discredit Russia again or redirect the attention of the international community from US internal problems to an “external trend”.

“No one will do anything more than the United States in the Middle East. You can recall the events in Egypt, all the color revolutions, Iraq, Syria. Wherever America intervenes, it leaves devastation, war and terrorist threats behind. Russia brought order to Syria and broke the backbone of international terrorism. The United States wants our departure to try again to pit the Middle Eastern countries, to play on the contradictions, ”said Dzhabarov.

According to Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense Yuri Shvytkin, such statements by the United States are made in the framework of the information war.

“With its presence, especially in the SAR, Russia has put a clear barrier to the United States regarding the possible separation of Syria and the overthrow of a legitimate government,” Shvytkin said in a conversation with RT.

• Russian troops at the Khmeimim airbase in Syria
• RIA News
• © Mikhail Klimentyev

Earlier in February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that stabilization of the situation in the Middle East is possible only through dialogue. According to him, unlike the confrontational schemes promoted by a number of countries, Moscow offers the Middle East a constructive and unifying agenda, and also calls for the formation of mechanisms for a joint response to challenges and threats.

“We are convinced that the consistent implementation of this initiative would be an important step towards improving the situation in the entire Middle East and laying the foundation for creating an architecture of mutual trust there,” Lavrov said in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa.

Recall that in 2011 in Syria, a powerful internal political crisis began, which turned into an armed confrontation between government forces and opponents of the current government. In this situation, terrorist organizations have intensified, including the Islamic State *. Since 2015, at the request of the official Syrian authorities, Russia has been providing military and other assistance to Syria in the fight against terrorism and the country's reconstruction. During this time, the SAR government was able to regain control of more than 90% of the country's territory.

In 2011, a civil war broke out in Libya. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled the country since 1969, was overthrown and killed. His opponents were supported by the forces of the international coalition, which included France, the USA, Great Britain and other countries. After the death of Gaddafi between various clans and armed groups, a struggle for power began at both the state and regional levels. The country, in fact, plunged into a civil war. Now there are two centers of power.

* “Islamic State” (IG) - the organization was recognized as terrorist by decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of December 29, 2014.