MUNICH, February 17. /TASS/. Sanctions against Damascus have mothballed the healthcare system and food supplies in Syria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said at a discussion on Syria at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday.

"Sanctions hit hard the Syrians, what is more, ordinary Syrians. The sanctions, which purportedly target the regime, actually prevent the healthcare system from developing, while people get neither electric power nor food," he said. "Should we speak about humanitarian aid to Syria, this help should not be politicized.".