On King of Thailand Death
The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman has expressed deep condolences to the people of Thailand over the king's death.
On Syria talks in Lausanne
The issue of reinstating of the ceasefire regime in Syria will be the main topic of the upcoming international negotiations on the issue in the Swiss city of Lausanne, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
A meeting on the situation in Syria with participation of Russia, the United States and regional powers including Saudi Arabia and Turkey will take place Saturday.
"The main topic will be the discussion of prospects of Syrian settlement with an emphasis on the necessity to renew the ceasefire regime on the basis of the agreements reached by Russia and the United States on September 9 in Geneva," Zakharova told a briefing.
According to her, all sides have to take on certain obligations and work with the sides on the ground to ensure full adherence to the rules of the ceasefire.
"Real premises for renewal of the political process in the Syrian settlement will be created should [the talks] be successful," Zakharova added.
On situation in Syria
"We are concerned about military and political situation in Syria, especially in Aleppo. Terrorists of the al-Nusra Front continue shelling populated areas of the city," Zakharova told journalist.
Moreover, some of our Western psrtners are fuelling media hysteria around situation in Aleppo. Russia is delivering humanitarian aid to Aleppo every day, but unfortunately we do not see the footage of these actions in Western media.
Moscow urges on immediate providing of humanitarian aid to Aleppo. Damascus is ready to protect humanitarian corridors, Zakharova said.
On attempted attack on Russian helicopter in Syria
Any unfriendly actions towards Russia and its citizens will not be left without consequences, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during the press briefing commenting on an attempted attack on a Russian helicopter in Syria.
Last week, the Russian reconciliation center said that Islamic State militants attacked a Russian helicopter with a province of Hama with a man-portable air-defense system. The pilots managed to dodge the attack.
"We noted in relation to this the words of some Syrian opposition figures who demanded that their regional sponsors provide armed extremists with air defense systems. We hope that our regional and other partners have enough common sense to not respond to these calls. In any case, it should be noted that Russia will never allow anyone to threaten the lives of its citizens, including servicemen. Any unfriendly actions towards Russia will not be left without consequences," Zakharova told a briefing.
On humanitarian situation in Afghanistan
We express serious concerns over the aggravated situation in the region. We condemn recent terrorist attacks in Kunduz and express our deep condolences to the victims' relatives," Zakharova told journalists.
On situation in S Sudan
"We call on the South Sudan conflicting parties to immediately stop hostilities," Zakharova said at the press briefing.
On Russia-US relations
The White House countinues to blame Russian of hacker attacks on the Democratic Party sites without providing any evidence.
The spokeswoman said that the actions of the current US administration towards Russia were very dangerous.
"We notice with regret how Washington continues ruining our bilateral relations," Zakharova added.
"But I've got a question, after all we heard from the US, is one candidate's victory and certain political groups' support worth a cyberconflict [with Russia]?" Zakharova told journalists.
The current US authorities or those who will replace them after the elections should not harbor any illusions that Russia can be pressured, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.
"Nobody should have any illusions that Russia can be pressured — neither the current US authorities, nor the ones that will replace them. One would like to hope that the new ones will be smarter than their predecessors," Zakharova told a briefing.
The White House claims in relation to Russia over reports of hacker attacks are "bewildering," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"The statements of the White House on the administration’s intention to take proportional retaliatory measures in relation to hacker attacks on US websites are bewildering," Zakharova told a briefing.
She added that Russia received no official requests or accusations from Washington in relation to the issue.
According to the spokeswoman, the situation, when Russia is accused of cyberattacks, without any evidences, could be probably used as a justification for Washington's hacking attacks.
"This situation is used apparently as a ground for Washington's hacking attacks. At least I can not see any other interpretation of the situation. What do retaliatory measures mean? It means that they are hacking attacks, cybercrimes in practice," Zakharova said.
She added that the statements about Russia's involvement made by US officials could be a part of the US presidential campaign and an attempt to gain more votes ahead of the election date.
In July, US media alleged that investigators blamed Russian-linked hackers for a breach of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) email system that revealed party officials colluded to support Clinton’s election campaign.
In September, US media reported that the country's intelligence services and law enforcement agencies were looking for evidence of covert operations allegedly conducted by Russia on the US soil. At the same time, The Washington Post reported, citing a senior intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, that the United States had no "definitive proof" of Russia's involvement.
On anti-Russian sanctions
Earlier this week, media reports emerged citing a senior EU diplomat, claiming that the United Kingdom, France and Germany were among the countries considering sanctioning 12 senior Russian officials and up to 20 Syrian presidential administration executives over the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria's Aleppo.
"Now there is a discussion taking place on new sanctions, while at the same time there are processes in bilateral, multilateral processes going on, in particular on the Syrian resolution. A strange, illogical, dependent position," Zakharova said.
On Russia's Role in Syria
Answering the question from a journalist what Russia want in Syria Maria Zakharova said:
First of all, everything Russia wanted in Syria is contained in the UNSC resolution.
Second, Russia always insisted on dialogue between Damascus and opposition.
Russia want to see Syria in the future as free democratic state.
