Greece refused to close the sky for Russian aircraft

Greece denied the United States the requirement to close the airspace of Athens (FIR Athens) for Russian aircraft with humanitarian aid from Syria.

“On Saturday, the US Embassy appealed to the official government of Greece with a request to ban Russian aircraft from flying to FIR Athens. The Greek government refused to do so in order not to worsen relations with Russia, ”a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti.

According to a source, Moscow received permission from Greece to fly to transport humanitarian aid to Syria in the period from 1 to 24 September.

The delivery of humanitarian aid is associated with a large number of casualties during the conflict between the Islamic State terrorist group (IG) and the troops loyal to Damascus, the Syrian rebels, the Iraqi army, the Shiite militia, the Kurdish troops and the US-led international coalition that attacks air. The number of refugees who left Syria is estimated at tens of thousands of people - they are mainly sent to seek refuge in the countries of the European Union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, commenting on the possible participation of Moscow in the fight against the IG, said that talking about it is premature. Putin recalled that Russia is already providing Syria with quite serious support with the supply of equipment and weapons, as well as with the training of Syrian military personnel.

Earlier Secretary of State John Kerry phoned Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to express concern about reports of a stronger Russian military presence in Syria, where Russia can support the regime of President Bashar Assad.

The Islamic State is a terrorist group that in the summer of 2014 of the year proclaimed the creation of a caliphate in parts of the territories of Syria and Iraq. IG activities in Russia is prohibited.