Shoigu: Russia Ready to Share in Syrian Chemical Arsenal Disposal

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Thursday his country is ready to participate in transferring and destruction of Syrian chemical weapons.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed originally to put the chemical stores in Syria under international supervision. If our position is determined in this supervision, or in transferring or destroying arms, Russia, of course, will be ready to participate,” Shoigu stated.

During his participation in the Valdai International dialogue forum, the defense minister ruled out sending special forces to Syria, but he suggested it is likely that experts travel to the Arab state, who can take over the preparations for handing the control of the Syrian chemical weapons to the international supervision.

The Russian official told reporters that Moscow has drawn up plans to evacuate its seven thousand citizens from Syria if necessary, stressing that his ministry has sufficient capabilities and means to implement the evacuation process.

Shoigu underlined that Moscow does not currently considering the possibility of destroying the chemical weapons inside the Syrian borders.

“Russia has institutions specialized in this field, and could shoulder the Syrian weapons destruction,” Shoigu said, adding that Russia may consider this issue only within an international coalition in the event of a decision in this regard.