James Jeffrey announces... Russia and Assad in a tense relationship and the search for an alternative is under way

ARK News.. James Jeffrey, the US envoy to Syria, said: “Russia is not satisfied with the Assad regime and their relations are tense, but it does not see a suitable alternative for him that preserves its interests in Syria.”

James Jeffrey made the statement during a seminar held by the "Hudson Institute for Studies and Research" through video technology.

Under the heading "maximum pressure on the Assad regime for his using chemical weapons and other atrocities."

James Jeffrey: Ending the Syrian crisis

Jeffrey explained that America's position on the Syrian crisis is to end the crisis with political solutions.

According to United Nations and Security Council Resolution 2254, which requires the development of a new constitution for the country, the removal of Iranian forces, and the fight against ISIS. ”

He added, “In addition to continuing to put pressure on the Syrian government, economically and diplomatically for its responsibility of all this destruction in the country and its use of chemical weapons.”

According to the US envoy, his country has achieved some of these goals that it worked for during the years of the crisis.

Russia: The relationship with Assad is not at its best

On what concerns the recent tense relationship between Russia and the Syrian regime, Jeffrey explained:

“The Russians assured America that their relationship with Assad is not at its best as it was before
They are not happy with Assad, but the problem in their view is that there are no alternatives to him, and that they are in connection and communication with the Russians and we know that. ”

He continued, “The Russians are concerned about their bases in Syria and their economic activities there, and these are their main goals in Syria, and the Russians have no political solution, and our job now is to achieve that political transition. ”

James Jeffrey: China's interests in the Middle East

He also said: “As for the Chinese and their presence in the Middle East, they have different interests than the Russians, Perhaps their first goal is to get low prices for oil, as Syria is not profitable for them
They have no goal there, only they are strengthening the Russians ’position in the Security Council.”

Iran is working to reduce its forces:

In a related development, Jeffrey said, "Iran is working to reduce the size of some of its forces in Syria, and this reduction reflects the tremendous success of the sanctions policies imposed by the Trump administration on Iran."

He added: "We see some withdrawals from the Iranian-led forces, some of which may be tactical because they do not fight at the moment, but they also lack money."

Source: Step Agency

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