The US-led air strikes on Syria were a violation of all the international rules, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting with Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission General Xu Qiliang on Tuesday, TASS reports.
"I am grateful to you for the support you have provided to us at the United Nations Security Council meeting dedicated to the missile attack on Syria. It undoubtedly was a violation of all the international and humanitarian rules," Shoigu said.
According to him, the strikes were carried out "in the West’s signature style - they implemented a punishment without conducting an investigation." "I would also like to thank our friend China for supporting us on the Syria issue and condemning the irresponsible behavior of some western countries that carried out a military attack on a sovereign state under a false pretense," the Russian defense minister added.
Shoigu said he was pleased to meet with Xu Qiliang once again, noting that their first meeting had taken place in 2013. "We have been able to lay serious groundwork that continues to prove helpful," he said.
"Time changes everything but fortunately it can change neither our personal relations nor relations between our countries," Shoigu stressed.
He was hopeful that Tuesday’s meeting would provide the parties with the opportunity to discuss the most pressing security issues.