Russia says European Union's (EU) decision on syria constitutes a violation of international law

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, stressed that the European Union’s (EU) decision on importing the Syrian oil from “the Syrian opposition” is dangerous and constitutes a violation of the norms of the international law and the Syrian sovereignty.

During his speech in the UN Security Council’s session on the Situation in the Middle East, Churkin expressed strong astonishment over the EU dangerous decision that violates the norms of the international law and the principles of national sovereignty.

He refuted the justifications of the promoters of the decision under the pretext of supporting what they call the ‘moderate opposition’, adding “No matter how much those who created this dangerous decision attempted to propose it, there is no need to be a prophet to understand that financial flows go to the strongest armed ranks.”

The Russian diplomat clarified “those are the extremists and radicals including al-Qaeda -linked terrorists from ‘Jabhat al-Nusra’ and they are controlling several oil fields.

Churkin warned that betting on war to the end in Syria would lead to worsening the situation and increasing the danger of terrorism, underscoring Russia’s worries of “exporting weapons to illicit groups in Syria”.

He warned that the weapons being exported to Syria may reach the terrorists at the end.

Churkin drew SC members’ attention that “the main task in Syria now lies in forcing all sides to halt violence, start a dialogue and agree on forming a transitional administration according to Geneva Statement on 30th of June,2012.”

The Russian Diplomat described the UN General Secretariat’s decision regarding investigation in the issue of using chemical weapons in Syria as not coordinated and transparent enough, calling for declining attempts of deviation from the Syrian government’s proposal to investigate in the scenes related to using chemical weapons near Aleppo on 19th of March under different pretexts.

He expressed astonishment that Britain and France have waited for several months before asking the UN Secretary-General to send experts to some Syrian areas.

The Russian Diplomat said ” it seems that the Secretary-General has taken this decision blindly without consultation with the General Secretariat personnel concerned in issues of arm control.”