He said that Moscow's proposals for a peaceful settlement of the Syrian conflict can been seen as a way of scoffing at 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner US President Barack Obama, who has been repeatedly accused of mishandling his country's Middle East foreign policy.
"Having snatched a military initiative in Syria from the owner of the Nobel Peace Prize Barack Obama, [Russian President] Vladimir Putin is preparing to take the negotiations away from him," Micalessin said.
In early February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow had offered Washington a ceasefire plan for Syria. Although US Secretary of State John Kerry has repeatedly demanded a halt to Russia's air campaign in Syria, the Obama administration lacks the ability to stop it in a way that would improve the situation, according to Micalessin.
#SYRIA All political issues must be resolved only by Syrians with international mediation. Not in trenches, but at negotiating table
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 11 февраля 2016
He said that an interruption of the Russian air campaign in Syria would mean the suspension of the Kurds' operation in the country's northeast, where they launch attacks on Daesh terrorists.
#SYRIA Russian airstrikes are made only after additional check of the received data and elimination of risks for the civilians’ lives
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 11 февраля 2016
"Therefore, if Obama abandons the Russian peace plan, he will find himself in hot water, ensuring the survival of the West's arch foes, namely al-Qaeda and the Caliphate (Daesh)," Micalessin concluded.
#SYRIA Terrorists suffering significant losses caused by Rus aviation. Thus, 2 powerful field commanders were liquidated in #Aleppo prov
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) 11 февраля 2016
As for Russia's ongoing air campaign in Syria, it was launched on September 30,2015, when more than fifty Russian warplanes, including Su-24M, Su-25 and Su-34 jets, commenced precision airstrikes on Daesh and Al-Nusra Front targets at the behest of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
In addition, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed earlier this year that advanced, super-maneuverable Su-35S multi-role fighters had begun their combat mission in Syria.
