by Stephen Lendman

EU heads of state comprise the European Council (EC), Donald Tusk its current president since December 2014.

Political and military developments in Syria were discussed at the EC’s October 15 meeting, among other pressing issues, EU leaders ignoring Obama’s war, saying in a statement issued:

“The Assad regime bears the greatest responsibility for the 250,000 deaths of the conflict and the millions of displaced people.”

“The EU is fully engaged in finding a political solution to the conflict in close cooperation with the UN and the countries of the region and calls on all parties involved to work to that effect.”

“There cannot be a lasting peace in Syria under the present leadership and until the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all components of Syrian society are addressed. The European Council expressed its concern about the Russian attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians and the risk of further military escalation.”

EU leaders gave short shrift to fighting ISIS and likeminded terrorists. They irresponsibly blamed Assad for Obama’s high crimes, failed to praise Russia’s important intervention, lied claiming it’s killing civilians and not targeting ISIS.

Putin’s righteous mission is extremely effective against a terrorist scourge vital to eliminate. He deserves support from all world leaders.

Ahead of Thursday’s EC meeting, Syria condemned its support for Obama’s imperial war. A Foreign Ministry source rejected EU-supported naked aggression against the Syrian people, its blatant interference in the internal affairs of the country, partnering with Washington’s hegemonic agenda, adding:

EU leaders aim to undermine Moscow’s vital mission, fronting for US policy. Earlier reports about France allying with Russia may have been premature.

President Francois Hollande expressed support for EU anti-Assad policy, at the same time urging a political solution involving Western and regional states along with Russia.

At a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meeting in Kazakhstan, leaders of former Soviet Republics Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan formed a joint task force to defend their borders from potential terrorist threats during a time of Western-instigated crisis.

Putin explained his involvement in Syria, saying an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 Russians and other Central Asians are now ISIS terrorists. “We certainly cannot allow them to use the experience they are getting in Syria on home soil,” he stressed.

“By carrying out airstrikes on targets chosen in coordination with the Syrians, our troops have produced significant results. Dozens of command points and depots, hundreds of terrorists and a large number of military hardware have been destroyed.”

Russia supports “as big a coalition to fight the extremists and terrorists as possible and is working with major regional and international partners” - in full compliance with international law, following Syria’s request for help.

CIS member states need to prepare for possible terrorist attacks, Putin stressed, expressing concern for deteriorating Afghan security conditions.

“The situation is becoming critical,” he said. “Terrorists of all flavors are gaining influence there and don't hide their plans to expand. One of their targets is Central Asia. We have to be prepared to respond to this contingency.”

Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said Russian warplanes on Thursday flew 33 sorties against ISIS targets in Aleppo, the Damascus countryside, Deir as-Zor, Hama and Idlib, explaining:

“The militants are retreating, trying to establish new positions, and changing underway the course of their existing logistics system for the supply of ammunition, weaponry and equipment.”

Fewer combat missions were flown because “the Syrian army’s offensive is transforming the contact line with Islamic State terrorist formations.”

Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad said effective Russian intervention is polar opposite US policy to continue endless war and human suffering - together with its rogue EU and regional allies.

“Syria will not sacrifice its sovereignty and independence under any condition,” he stressed. “We will not accept any solution where any of these fundamental elements are not safeguarded.”

Washington intends to keep resupplying ISIS and other takfiri terrorists, part of its unrelenting campaign to replace Assad with pro-Western puppet governance it controls, no matter the cost in human lives and suffering.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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