Thread by @m_suchkov

THREAD on #Russia's stance in Eastern #Ghouta:
1.#Putin convened a National Security Council meeting today to discuss the situatiion,;directed all RUS agencies involved in #Syria abide by the 2401 #UNSC Resolution, emphasized "terrorists [in the area] continue their provocations"

2. Despite the UN vote #Moscow stands firm in its position:Western media campaign around East #Ghouta is "crocodile tears","they been silent on militants shelling of #Damascus for 2 years now that #SAA,RU go after militants (yes,not only HTS)everyone suddenly cares for civilians"

3.Yet the scale of humanitarian tragedy demanded urgent action.The decision to let civilians out seen as temporary fix since many radicals will flee along w/ them, amass in other parts of town,thus humanitarian tragedies where radical shild w/ civilians doomed to repeat

4.#Russia doesn't feel opposition groups worth negotiating w/,seeks reaching out to those it feels have leverage over them.Foreign Minister #Lavrov spoke on the phone w/ #KSA's al-Jubeir;,#Jordan's Safadi. Deputy FM Bogdanov met w leader of #Syria's Tomorrow Movement Jarba.

5.Everyone knows hostilities in Eastern #Ghouta never ceased after the UN vote on all sides.Ghouta likely to ultimately end up under #SAA's control, big fight(s) yet to come (look what's happening in #Idlib, #Afrin, Deir ez-Zor)
.Disagreements b/n #Russia, #Turkey smoldering...

6.BONUS: #Iraq/i FM Ibrahim al-Jafaari is also in #Moscow today. discussed post-#ISIS coop w #Russia. #Lavrov said Rus supports "Prez Abadi's efforts on national reconciliation,functional state that takes into account interests of all political,ethnical groups."

7. FINALLY: The big chunk of the new stage in #Russia's #Syria policy is the relationship w #US. See my detailed take on it @AlMonitor in a few hours (w/ some video footage & voice over)

#Russia-#US collision in #Syria: the dangers and possibilities
al-monitor.com/pulse/original…