The Russian Defense Ministry announced it had deployed an S-300 missile system to its Tartus naval base in Syria.
“The missile battery is intended to ensure the safety of Tartus naval base as well as the ships of the Russian naval task force base in the coastal area from air (threats). It is unclear why the deployment of the S-300 caused such alarm among our Western partners,” said Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman.
The decision to deploy the S-300 comes amid rising tension between Moscow and Washington with regard to the Syria conflict. US Secretary of State John Kerry, asserted during a visit to the Belgian capital, Brussels, that the Obama Administration will continue to pursue a nation-wide cessation of hostilities in Syria, which includes the grounding of both Russian and Syrian combat aircrafts – while Kerry’s spokesman in Washington, Mark Toner, noted during a press briefing that the United States was considering unilateral options to implement a ceasefire, including a military one; a statement that prompted strategic moves on the ground by the Russian military to assure Moscow’s interests are protected in the war-torn-country.
“We will continue, as we have before, to pursue a meaningful, sustainable, enforceable cessation of hostilities throughout the country – and that includes the grounding of Syrian and Russian combat aircrafts in designated areas. And Russia knows exactly what it needs to do, in order to get that cessation implemented in a fair and reasonable way,” said Kerry.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was unfortunate that Washington suspended talks with regard to Syria, accusing people from the Obama Administration, among others, of being responsible for the failed talks. Nevertheless, the Russian top diplomat stressed that Moscow would not give up its aspirations to implement UN Security Council resolutions with regard to Syria which Lavrov said were vital for the war-torn-country.
“Unfortunately from the very beginning there were many who wished to break down the agreements, including from within the U.S. administration. And as you know, yesterday to our deep regret those who were against political settlement of Syria crisis, against the fulfilment of the relevant U.N. resolutions and have clear plans for solving the situation by force – succeeded,” said Lavrov.