Russian PM slams France, West over interference in Syrian affairs

The remarks were made by Medvedev during a Franco-Russian summit held in Paris to boost investment between the two countries. However, the discussion focused on Russia’s opposition with French and Western involvement in Syrian affairs.

“We (Russia) think it wrong to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. We do not want carnage between the religious communities inhabiting that ancient land,” Medvedev said during the meeting in Paris.

The Russian premier further criticized the intervention of western powers in the affairs of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the arming of rebel groups in the region by saying that it “is absolutely unacceptable” under "international law”.

For western powers to back a “political force” that wants to change Assad’s regime seems “to be not completely civilized," he went on to say.

Although France and Russia have signed various bilateral accords, aiming to correct a trade imbalance that is vastly in Moscow's favor, Medvedev has been straightforward in expressing his disagreement with France’s motive to escalate the unrest in their former colony.

France became the first European country to recognize Syria’s opposition coalition on November 13. Paris said it would look into the issue of arming the militants against the government in Damascus.