Ambassador Churkin on Tuesday stressed the need for an international coalition that includes the Syrian government to combat the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist group.
"In Syria, there was a clash between two different views of what the Security Council is supposed to do and what it’s not supposed to do," he said. "Our Western partners believe that the Security Council needs to be involved in regime change operations. We believe that this is not the charter responsibility of the Security Council, which is looking after international peace and security.
"Moreover, we feared that this kind of policy will lead to great instability, which we saw in the case of Libya," he added.
Churkin also addressed allegations in western mainstream media — and among some Washington officials — of "Russian aggression" in Syria.
"There is nothing to accuse us of," he said. "Clearly there are some Russian military [personnel] who are helping the Syrian army…use the weapons we have been supplying to them. There is no secret about that, so there are no grounds for any kind of accusation."
"Let’s hope this is going to be an element which will help bring about greater international cooperation and a more effective effort to fight ISIL in Syria and Iraq," he added.
This cooperation is greatly needed, since US-led efforts have so far failed to produce results.
"Let’s face it, the American coalition has been there for a year," he says, "they have delivered close to 7,000 strikes, according to media reports, and ISIL is still there."
Churkin also addressed his hopes for the General Assembly meeting.
"It’s going to be a very important meeting. If it’s something where they’ll have discussions where they will come closer to mutual understandings on various important issues – including Syria, including ISIL and the fight against terrorism – that will be an achievement."
"I personally do not expect any major breakthroughs, but I think that some steps forward must be made," he added. "If there is success, it’s not going to be my success, it’s going to be the success of Russian diplomacy and the international community."
