The official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakhrova, stated that the inclusion of Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad in the European Union's sanctions list is, in fact, a clear rejection by Brussels to negotiate with the Syrian government.
Zakhrova confirmed in a press briefing today that imposing European sanctions on Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad does not help to overcome the prolonged crisis in Syria, pointing out that it is part of a series of actions that prevent the normalization of the situation in Syria and its surroundings. She said, "This is a clear rejection of negotiations with the Syrian government." Zakhrova expressed deep regret for such deliberate actions from the European Union, stating that they do not help to address the consequences of the prolonged devastating crisis in Syria, but rather simply exacerbate it.
Zakhrova urged the European Union to use reason and logic and return to the framework of international law, calling for the complete lifting of the unlawful unilateral sanctions imposed by the European Union on Damascus for the benefit of the Syrian people and to ensure regional stability and security.
The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Makdad is a professional diplomat with many years of experience in the Syrian mission to the United Nations. It is worth mentioning that earlier, the European Union added Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad to its sanctions list, who was appointed to this position after the death of former Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in mid-November.
