Russia: “We are ready for dialogue” Shoigu tells West to stop frightening their people
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu


Published on Aug 14, 2016
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke about the Russian military presence in Syria, during an interview with VGTRK (Rossiya-1) in Moscow, Sunday, stating that there “are many of our compatriots from Russia and from countries of the former Soviet Union.” fighting on the side of the militants.
Shoigu noted that the Russian military presence was “needed there to deal with these bandits on the distant approaches.”
The Russian Defence Minister mentioned miscommunication with the US about the positions of the so-called moderate opposition saying “where is the moderate opposition? They couldn’t say.”
Shoigu addressed the West saying
“I repeatedly tell them to stop frightening their own people,” adding that “we would like our colleagues to stop at some stage and realise that we are ready for dialogue.”
SOT, Sergei Shoigu, Russian Defence Minister, (Russian):
“Our base is needed there to deal with these bandits on the distant approaches. Today we understand how relevant the statement was of our President when he said that there [in Syria] are many of our compatriots from Russia and from countries of the former Soviet Union. This place is like a magnet that attracts the supply of weapons. I say ‘absolutely’ consciously, because I know what I am talking about. The heaviest suicide bombers are in infantry combat vehicles, ICV. When they put the person inside, make the hatch, put two hundred kilograms of explosives. Who is this? Is it the moderate opposition, whom we do not allow to leave the city? Who is it? And whoever is behind them, they say, no, they are the fighters for the bright future. But I don’t understand such fighting methods. We are talking to our colleagues: tell us where is the moderate opposition. This was our first issue and our first proposal. Where should we not strike? Where is the moderate opposition? They couldn’t say. Okay, then tell us, where to strike, where exactly are the terrorists, ISIS, Al-Nusra Front and those who are assigned to them? Also does not work. There are many things that are to be discussed with our American colleagues.”
SOT, Sergei Shoigu, Russian Defence Minister, (Russian):
“What is the thing that we are standing against? We say: guys, a balance is established. If you use the situation, dispersal of hysteria to supplement the budget so that defence enterprises receive additional income, this is your own business. But I repeatedly tell them to stop frightening their people. Because those who are educated, those who can count to a hundred, have long had the understanding. I don’t know and don’t understand why that should go further. We would like our colleagues to stop at some stage and realise that we are ready for dialogue.”