Trump discussed with Merkel and Macron Putin's statement on the development of the RF new weapons


WASHINGTON, March 3. / TASS /. US President Donald Trump discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of nuclear weapons. This was reported on Friday by the press service of the White House on the basis of two separate telephone conversations of the American leader.

"The leaders expressed serious concern about Vladimir Putin's recent statements on the development of nuclear weapons, which, in their opinion, diminish the discussion on a number of issues between Russia and the West," the document says.

It also notes that the leaders of the Western countries "call on Russia to stop the bombing of East Guta, to force the [Syrian President Bashar] Asad's regime to turn offensive operations against territories inhabited by civilians, and to hold Syria accountable for the deteriorating human rights situation in East Gut ". From their point of view, the latter "is partly due to the continued use by the Assad regime of chemical weapons, attacks on civilians and the blocking of humanitarian aid" sent to crisis areas.

Trump, Macron and Merkel also agreed that "the Syrian regime, as well as Iran and Russia supporting it, should immediately and fully implement UN Security Council resolution 2401 (February 25, TASS comment), which calls for to a ceasefire throughout Syria. "

Putin's statements

In a message to the Federal Assembly on Thursday, Putin announced the development and testing of the newest strategic weapons systems created in response to Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the ABM Treaty and the practical deployment of this system both on the territory of the United States and beyond their national borders. Among the new systems are the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, the hypersonic complex Dagger, a cruise missile with a nuclear power plant, and an unmanned underwater vehicle that can be equipped with conventional and nuclear munitions. At the same time, the head of state stressed that Russia's growing military power is "a reliable guarantee of peace on the planet," and all efforts to strengthen the country's defense capabilities were carried out "within the framework of existing agreements in the field of arms control."

Reaction of the USA

Later, the head of the State Department's press service, Heather Nauert, said that Putin's statements about the development and testing of new types of weapons are of concern to the United States. The diplomat expressed the opinion that the words of the Russian leader are confirmed by the fact that Moscow "directly violates its obligations under [international] agreements," including the DRMS.

On the same day, Nauert stated that the United States does not announce sanctions against anyone, but Washington is considering a number of opportunities to hold Russia accountable for attacks on civilians in Syria, in which the US accuses the Syrian government. From the point of view of Nauert, Russia is partly responsible for the fact that Syria does not observe the cease-fire regime, which was adopted last week by the UN Security Council, since Moscow renders assistance to the Syrian government. In addition, the State Department called Russia's initiative to create humanitarian corridors in East Gut "ridiculous."

UN Security Council Resolution on Syria

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Saturday demanding that the parties to the conflict in Syria cease hostilities for at least 30 days to provide humanitarian assistance to the population. The document was supported by all 15 members of the Security Council. According to the resolution, the ceasefire will not extend to military operations against the "Islamic State" group (banned in the Russian Federation) and other terrorist organizations.

On Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that on the instructions of Putin in the suburb of Damascus, Eastern Guta, from February 27, a daily five-hour humanitarian break was introduced. In the village of Al-Wafidin, the Syrian authorities, with the support of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties, prepared conditions for the reception of civilians through the only humanitarian corridor linking Damascus to East Guta.

Link: http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/5004962