WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Russia repeatedly called on the United States to delineate terror groups and so-called moderate opposition forces in Syria and warned about the dangerous consequences of providing weapons to Syrian factions.
The United States has previously provided weapons to Syrian rebel groups both through covert channels and the Defense Department’s train-and-assist program.
"Turkey foreign policy should not be established upon seeing Assad as an enemy," Pekin stated. "For us it’s not Assad, it’s Syrians, that’s what important for Turkey. And if there is a need, we should support the Syrians, not Assad."
Other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have long supported armed opposition groups in Syria.
"Turkey definitely has to stop supporting these groups," Pekin added.
When asked whether Turkey is planning on doing that, he said, "I think they are. They must. Because every day they are doing it, this disadvantages Turkey’s interests."
Last week, the United States and Russia failed to resurrect the Syrian ceasefire amid a military siege of Aleppo, inadequate humanitarian access and the US inability to disentangle moderate rebels from the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
The prospects for a diplomatic solution in Syria faced new challenges on Wednesday, when US Secretary of State John Kerry informed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of his intent to end US-Russian bilateral engagement in Syria if Moscow did not take immediate steps to reinstate the failed ceasefire.
