Even though Moscow did not officially comment on the Caesar Act, a United States legislation that sanctions the Syrian government, angry comments by officials, parliamentarians, and media experts reflected Moscow's degree of concern about the possible repercussions of the new law.
Russian media warned of a new challenge testing Russian-American relations. The new law, according to observers, does not necessarily target Syria as it does Russia itself.
Russian Presidential Envoy to Syria Alexander Yefimov described the law as “economic terrorism” exploited by Washington to undermine the achievements accomplished by Moscow and Damascus in Syria.
He vowed the US will not reach its goals because “Russia and its allies are standing on the right side of history.”
A number of Syrian operated industries, including those related to infrastructure, military maintenance and energy production, are targeted by the Caesar Act. The bill also targets individuals and businesses who provide funding or assistance to the head of the Syrian regime, Bashar Assad.
Iranian and Russian entities are addressed for their governments' support of Assad in the Syrian civil war.
Other than the fear for major companies that already signed significant contracts with Syria over the last few years, Russian media focused on the threat facing Russian arms exports to Syria.
The Caesar Act stipulates punishing individuals and institutions supporting the Syrian Army or who have committed any military activity that targets civilians.
Despite Russia’s confidence in having the means necessary to supply its forces in Syria while dodging US harassment, Moscow has gone into activating discussions on a military level with Americans for the sake of military coordination and to avoid accidents.
In other words, Moscow is seeking to agree with Washington not to harm the supplies of the Russian military in Syria.
In other news, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that Russia will partake in the conference organized by the EU on Syria aid which will be held by the end of this month.
Lavrov expressed his regret that no Damascus representatives were invited to the conference.
