Russia has confirmed it will deliver anti-aircraft missiles to the Syrian regime, saying the arms would be a ‘stabilising’ factor and help deter "some hotheads" from intervening.
"We consider these supplies a stabilising factor and believe such steps will deter some hotheads from considering scenarios that would turn the conflict international with the involvement of outside forces," said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Ryabkov also criticised the EU’s decision not to renew an arms embargo on the Syrian rebels, saying the move will undermine efforts to hold a peace conference, as proposed by the US and Moscow.
"A whole range of actions that have been undertaken, not without the participation and not without the support of our Western partners including the United States and France... are serving to undermine the idea of calling a conference," Ryabkov said.
