Russia: Medvedev warns against balkanisation of Syria

Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev emphasises the importance of a political solution to the Syrian Crisis, in an interview for the Central Chinese Television, in Moscow, on Friday. The prime minister noted that this solution must involve the country’s president Bashar al-Assad.
“What is most important is to make sure that the future of Syria is predictable, that Syria exists as a self-sufficient, independent state,” stated the prime minister.
Medvedev stated, "It is most important to conduct a peaceful settlement of the situation, which would involve all constructive forces, excluding terrorists.” Medvedev continued, noting that “the problem of the disengagement of those who want peace and occupy constructive positions, and those who are obvious terrorist groups.”
The Russian leader also stressed, "The position of Russia is well known. It was repeatedly stated by the President of our country and, of course, was developed in the foreign policy. Our position is that there is no military solution to the Syrian problem. The powers that want peace in Syria must negotiate and agree on the future of Syria, on the future of its political system."