"Those responsible for the situation in East Ghouta are those who support the terrorists, those that are still there. As you know, neither Russia, nor Syria, nor Iran belong to the category of such states, for it is they who on the ground are engaged in an irreconcilable struggle against the terrorists in Syria," Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov told reporters, commenting on statements about Russia's and Iran's alleged responsibility for the situation in East Ghouta.
Speaking about joining the UN resolution on the introduction of a ceasefire in Syria, proposed by Sweden, Peskov re-addressed the question to the Foreign Ministry.
"Now I cannot answer this question, they are engaged in the line of our diplomatic department, our mission in New York, it is better to address this issue to the Foreign Ministry," he said, adding that the situation in the region remains wanting.
Earlier, the delegations of Sweden and Kuwait shared with the Security Council a draft resolution on the introduction of a 30-day ceasefire in Syria for the delivery of humanitarian aid and medical evacuation. The voting on the draft is expected to take place on Thursday.
READ MORE: UN Security Council to Meet Over Syria's East Ghouta on Thursday
"You know that the work as a whole is rather tense. The situation really remains wanting, mildly speaking. Therefore, this issue is now very concentrated," Peskov stated.
The Permanent Mission of Sweden announced on Wednesday evening that the draft resolution was closed for amendments and was ready to be voted on.
At the same time, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on February 21 that Russia was working within the UN Security Council to prepare a separate resolution on humanitarian issues in Eastern Ghouta.
The territory of Eastern Ghouta is one of four Syrian de-escalation zones created during the Astana talks on Syrian reconciliation. Russia, Iran and Turkey serve as guarantors of the de-escalation agreements, which apply all sides except militants linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist group (banned in Russia).
According to the UN claims, almost 400,000 people have been trapped in the area besieged by Syrian government forces, while Russia refutes these allegations, saying that Damascus has been attacked by militants controlling the enclave.
Accusations Against Russia
The Kremlin's comment follows the statement of US Department of States spokeswoman Heather Nauert, who blamed Damascus' air forces for allegedly conducting airstrikes in Eastern Ghouta, targeting hospitals, claiming the lives of 100 civilians over the last 48 hours.
READ MORE: Kremlin: US Accusations Against Russia on Eastern Ghouta Groundless
The US Department of State has also urged Russia to stop supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with regard to the "escalation of violence in Eastern Ghouta."
READ MORE: UN Commission Investigating Reports of Alleged Chlorine Use in Idlib, Ghouta
A civil war has been raging in Syria for over six years, with government forces fighting against both Syrian opposition groups and terrorist organizations.
Two independent powers were helping to eradicate terrorism in the country: the US-led international coalition's campaign and Russian forces. The latter has been participating in the conflict upon the request of the Syrian president and recently has been withdrawn from the ground, while the coalition forces act without Damascus' or the UN request.
