ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — After meeting with US President Donald Trump, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asked the international community to consider the consequences of ousting leaders of state as was done in Iraq and Libya.
"We need prevent such a situation that evolved in Iraq and Syria ... Both in respect to Iraq and Libya, the international community, the progressive community, was obsessed with the idea to oust one person — Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya — and look what it has led to,” said Lavrov in a press conference at the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C.
"That is why when we are talking about the Syrian settlement; we [should] try to learn from our mistakes. Why don't we try to focus on the settlement and not on ousting one person? Why don't we focus on eliminating the threat of terrorism,” he added.
Lavrov said Moscow believes it is in Washington’s interest to go along with de-escalation zones guaranteed by Russia, Iran and Turkey.
"It is in our interest for the US to make connective contribution into these processes. We believe that the US is really interested in that. Particularly, with respect to the southern area …” Lavrov said.
"It has even become more practical because it would create on geographic parameters of those areas. The memorandum signed in Astana sets up further steps in that direction according to which on how and who will control security areas, security zones around the de-escalation areas.
Lavrov first met with his American counterpart Rex Tillerson, then with Trump in the White House.
"They are business-like people, who are willing to meet agreements, which are beneficial to their people,” the Russian FM so described the Americans.
Trump gave a brief statement after the meeting.
“We are going to do very well with respect to Syria. I think things are happening that are really, really, really positive," he said, sitting beside former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. “We are going to stop the killing and the death.
"We want to see the killing, the horrible killing in Syria, stop as soon as possible and everyone is working toward that end.”
Kissinger has played a role in US foreign policy for nearly a half century, especially in Republican administrations.
Trump said Kissinger “has been a friend for a long time.”
A readout from the White House emphasized the need for US-Russian cooperation in Syria, “in particular, underscoring the need for Russia to rein in the Assad regime, Iran and Iranian proxies.”
The statement added that Trump “emphasized his desire to build a better relationship between the United States and Russia.”
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