Syria S-300 delivery contract “not yet fulfilled,” Putin saysJune 4, 2013 - 17:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian President Vladimir Putin defended the delivery of S-300 air defense systems to war-torn Syria on Tuesday, June 4 but said the contracts for the missiles have not yet been fulfilled, according to RIA Novosti. “We do not want to disturb the balance in the region,” said Putin during a joint press conference at the Russia-European Union Summit with European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. “The contract was signed several years ago. It has not yet been realized." Putin praised the capabilities of the Russian-made S-300s, which can engage 12 targets simultaneously at distances of 200 kilometers and heights of up to 27 kilometers. “The S-300 systems are, really, one of the best air defense systems in the world – probably the best,” he said. The shipment of S-300s to Syria is a continuing source of friction between Washington and Moscow. US Secretary of State John Kerry said last month that the presence of the weapons in Syria would be “destabilizing” for the region. Putin also stressed that the deliveries of S-300s to Syria are legal. Syrian President Bashar Assad suggested last week that the S-300 contracts with Russia would be fulfilled. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |