Moscow Accuses US of Double Standards Over Push to Change Power in Syria

The political future of Syria must be decided by the Syrian people, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – If the United States plans to talk about a change of power in Syria, it needs to retract its signature from the Geneva communique, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.

"Our American colleagues shoud decide what they're doing after all. And for once in four and a half years present the world with their vision of their part in these events [in Syria]. If the US is still committed to the Geneva communique that the entire international community supported and they signed, then how can they, according to the media, talk about proposing… concepts of regime change?" Zakharova said.

The UN-backed Geneva communique on Syria, adopted in June 2012, adheres to the norms and principles of the international law and respects the sovereignty of other states. The document seeks to bring together the opposing parties to end the conflict in the country.

“The political future of Syria must be defined by the Syrians themselves,” Zakharova added, citing what is said in the Geneva communique.

Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011, as government forces loyal to Assad fight several opposition and radical Islamist militant groups, including the Nusra Front and Islamic State (ISIL).

The United States has repeatedly called for Assad's resignation and opposed assistance to his government, claiming that neither a victory over the Islamic State terrorist organization, nor a political settlement for the Syrian war are possible while he remains in power.