Russia's president says US after 'economically suffocating' Syria

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 01 July 2020 5:03 PM

President Vladimir Putin of Russia says the United States seeks to 'economically suffocate' Syria by adopting new sanctions against the country.

"Despite the call from the UN Secretary General for easing the pressure of sanctions under pandemic conditions, Washington like Brussels decided to prolong measures against Syria," the Russian President said during a video conference with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts on Syria on Wednesday.

"In addition, new sanctions presumably aimed at economically suffocating Syria have been adopted."

The White House imposed new sanctions on Syria under a new law known as the 'Caesar Act,' which came into force in mid-June, in a bid to increase pressure on Damascus.

The act comes at a time that Syrian government forces have been scoring victories against foreign-backed militants.

The sanctions target 39 companies and individuals, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma.

The US and European Union had already imposed sanctions on Syria, freezing the assets of the state and hundreds of firms and individuals.

But the new measures can freeze the assets of anyone dealing with Damascus, regardless of nationality, and target many more sectors.

Some say the sanctions would deny the Syrian people access to key medicine and other vital goods and services.

Iran, Russia, and Turkey have been leading a peace process for Syria known as the Astana process. Kazakhstan's capital, Nur-Sultan, was formerly called Astana, and the city originally hosted the meetings.

The government gains in Syria have enraged Washington, which has long been collaborating with anti-Damascus militants and stealing Syria's crude resources.