EU Lawmaker Praises Idea of Anti-Terrorism Coalition Proposed by Putin

In late June, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Syria and countries such as Turkey, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to join forces in the battle against the Islamic State militant group by establishing an anti-terrorism coalition.

MOSCOW (Sputnik), Daria Chernyshova — The international anti-terrorism coalition proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin could be the first step toward peace and stability in the Middle East, an EU Parliament member told Sputnik Monday.

"We are in favor of an international peace movement that involves each country, including Russia of course, that makes any kind of efforts in order to establish peace and order in the area through the use of political and diplomatic means. In this connection the attempt of Mr. Putin can be considered a first step in that direction," Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group member Laura Ferrara said.

Putin said on Friday that he had discussed creating an international anti-terrorism coalition with his US counterpart Barack Obama and that both countries were interested in the initiative.

The United States is leading a coalition of over 60 countries that has been conducting airstrikes against ISIL positions in Iraq and Syria since 2014.

Russia has repeatedly criticized the coalition's actions as it had been not approved by the UN Security Council. In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would support the creation of an anti-terrorism coalition if Syria considered it appropriate and feasible.