RUSSIA CALLS FOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO SYRIA CRISIS

Russia, which was criticized over its weapons support to the Assad regime and has taken sides by the Damascus Administration when using its veto power in favour of Assad at the UN, made a statement regarding a recent crisis of Turkey with Syria.

Ahead of an extraordinary NATO meeting on the Syrian crisis which will be held today, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told press that they hope the NATO Council will not take a step which would trigger more tension in the area around Syria.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko made a statement to Russian RİA Novosti Agency on Monday.

Grushko said in the statement that he expects NATO would not take a step which would scupper a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis.

Grushko said also that Turkey's demand for an extraordinary NATO meeting following Syria's downing of a Turkish fighter jet is quite "alarming".

"Turkey's call for a NATO meeting can be read as a move signaling the existence of a scenario directed to raise the tension around Syria," Grushko added.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said further that international community should encourage, above and before everything, all sides in Syria to sit around the negotiation table for a political solution.

Aleksandr Grushko underlined that the UN Security Council should remain as the sole authority over the process.