Do you have any response to the protestors?

Answer: We all at the Russian Consulate General are gravely concerned with the current situation in Syria and especially in Eastern Ghouta where acute humanitarian crisis unfolds.

We sympathizes with the protesters though many of them seem to get their information from the same unreliable and biased sources that are trying to influence Western public opinion each time Syrian Government forces make advance.

The root of the current situation in Eastern Ghouta is not in the operations by the Government forces. Tensions were caused by a consolidation in east Ghouta of the remains of five terrorist groupings (incl. Jabhat al-Nusra, Jaysh al-Islam, Ahrar al-Sham, The al-Rahman Legion (Faylaq al-Rahman), Fajr Al-Ummah) which formed the united command center and joined their activities. As in other places like Raqqa and Aleppo they use civilians as human shield. Terrorists are actively shelling Damascus (83 explosions only yesterday), causing wide spread civilian fatalities and damage to hospitals and official venues (Russian Trade mission and De-escalation Center took direct hits).

Does the Russian government encourage President Assad to implement the UN calls for ceasefire?

Answer: Russia has been consistently advocating all UN Security resolutions on Syria including Resolution 2254 (2015), Endorsing Road Map for Peace Process in Syria and a new one – just adopted Resolution 2401 on 30-day Cessation of Hostilities in Syria to Enable Humanitarian Aid Delivery.

UNSCR 2401 appeal to all the interested parties (not just Damascus and Moscow, but Washington, London and others) to respect cessation of hostilities. The fight against the terrorists, who are trying to stop peaceful population from leaving the area, is exempt from it. From tomorrow Russia is establishing humanitarian ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta running from 09.00 until 14.00 local time daily and is forming humanitarian corridors to let civilians flee.

Any message for Russian nationals in Scotland who are concerned about the events in East Ghouta?

Answer: I believe that Russian nationals based in Scotland have wider access to various sources of information than a general public here for a simple reason of knowing at least two languages, so they have all opportunities to build their own opinion about the issue. However if any of them would like to get an official comment from us, they are free to do so.

The SNP foreign affairs spokesperson has just given me this comment: “The dreadful pictures coming out of East Ghouta demonstrate the appalling consequences of Russian and Syrian Government bombing on the civilian population caught there. This bombing must end now and the Russian authorities must act and allow humanitarian relief into the area as soon as possible.” Do you have any response to the MP?

Answer: We share concern about the grave situation in Eastern Ghouta, but categorically object to these groundless and over simplified conclusions. Appalling double standards shown to the fates of suffering civilians in Damascus and Eastern Ghouta, to the dreadful atrocities in Mosul and Raqqa (where no chances for a ceasefire were given resulting in huge casualties among the innocent people), are beyond criticism.

Publication in Edinburgh Evening News