Syria censures West policies exacerbating Ukraine war

Syria condemns the policies of the United States and its allies, which are exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad stressed Tuesday during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

The Syrian top diplomat discussed with Lavrov during the phone call "the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as means of developing them so that they fulfill the ambitions of the people and leaders of both countries and reach the size of the challenges posed by the policies and practices of the West all over the world."

He also highlighted Russia's importance in the international arena when it comes to thwarting Western hegemony as well as establishing a multi-polar international system that achieves the interests and security of the various peoples of the world, Al Mayadeen reported

Mekdad further highlighted the economic hardship Syria is facing due to the unilateral measures taken by the West, as well as the continuation of the United States to occupy Syrian land and plunder its resources, from wheat to oil, among others, at the time that Syrians are suffering to secure the minimum energy resources needed to obtain their basic services.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had called on the international community to put an end to countries using the pretext of fighting terrorism to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

Lavrov, for his part, reaffirmed Russia's position "in support of Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and its support for Syria's efforts regarding the repatriation of refugees," further stressing the importance of the efforts made to prepare for the meetings of the Russian-Syrian joint committee to discuss common economic issues and develop bilateral relations.

Lavrov stressed Russia's insistence on continuing its efforts to protect the people of Donbas, expressing Russia's appreciation for Syria's supportive position in facing these challenges.

Lavrov and Mekdad also reviewed a number of issues of common concern in the international and regional arenas, in addition to issues related to humanitarian aid and Security Council Resolution 2642, as well as Western countries evading their obligations under this resolution, especially with regard to early recovery projects.

The Security Council adopted on July 12 Resolution 2642, according to which it extended the mandate of the mechanism for the delivery of UN humanitarian aid across the border from Turkey to Syria for a period of six months.

Syria's state institutions introduced earlier in the month a four-day work week following acute fuel shortages as Syrian oil continues to be looted by US occupation forces, and as Washington's unilateral sanctions against Syria result in a continued decline of oil resources.

It is important to note that oil production has been limited by the fact that several of the oil-producing facilities in Syria remain outside the government's control; under US occupation. Furthermore, oil and petroleum imports have become increasingly difficult due to unilateral sanctions against Syria.

MP/PR