"We didn't send weapons to Syria - how about you?"

YEKATARINBURG President Vladimir Putin says he sees "no problem in selling arms to Syria" but points out that S-300 missiles have not been delivered to that country. Speaking on Tuesday, the Russian leader said he hoped that the entire international community would respect an agreement that prohibits arming of non-governmental actors. "We didn't send weapons to Syria - how about you?" Putin made the remarks during the Russia-EU Summit, adding that Russia does not intend to "infringe on the military balance in the region" and that all its agreements on trade in arms with Syria are in accordance with international law. "As for the S-300s, it is one of the best air defense systems in the world. This is a serious weapon. We would not like to tip the balance of power in the region. We signed the contract a few years ago, but it has not been realized yet. All our deliveries are transparent and do not violate international law", said Putin. He stressed that he hoped that the United Nations and all member states would comply with the principles proposed by Britain, and that is that weapons can be sold only to states. "I presume that all UN member states will join the observance of those principles, at least as of today," Putin was quoted as saying. Last week, the EU decided to extend sanctions against Syria, but also to lift the embargo on weapons for the rebels, which caused many reactions and indicated there were divisions among EU's leaders. While it is expected that no one will send any weapons before the peace conference in Geneva, Moscow immediately reiterated the information about the agreement on the delivery of the S-300s. Despite the opposition from the West and criticism of the possible delivery, Russia at no point gave up on its position that the anti-aircraft weapons would serve to stabilize the situation in Syria and pacify those who want to further escalate the conflict, adding that "the rebels do not have jets, anyway." "I repeat that any attempts to influence the situation in Syria through direct foreign military intervention is doomed to failure", noted Putin. The Russian president, commenting on the announced peace conference in Geneva, emphasized that "the behavior of some of the rebel leaders and their refusal to sit at the table, and the fact that the Syrian opposition is not united, does not contribute to the peace process." "This conference will certainly not lack in individuals such as the militant leader who was seen in a video eating body parts of a murdered Syrian soldier," Putin said, according to an RT report. The Russian president pointed out that his country and the United States agreed about the conference, and that Russia fulfilled what it had undertaken - to convince the Assad regime to send its representatives to Geneva. The reprorts concerning the S-300 missiles have stirred up international public after the media reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told a television station that his regime had already received the first shipment. But Russia soon denied this, saying at the same time that it may send MiG warplanes to Syria, which was followed by warnings from Israel that the use of the S-300 missiles would be "prevented." Vladimir Putin (Beta/AP) B92

"We didn't send weapons to Syria - how about you?"

Putin made the remarks during the Russia-EU Summit, adding that Russia does not intend to "infringe on the military balance in the region" and that all its agreements on trade in arms with Syria are in accordance with international law.

"As for the S-300s, it is one of the best air defense systems in the world. This is a serious weapon. We would not like to tip the balance of power in the region. We signed the contract a few years ago, but it has not been realized yet. All our deliveries are transparent and do not violate international law", said Putin.

He stressed that he hoped that the United Nations and all member states would comply with the principles proposed by Britain, and that is that weapons can be sold only to states.

"I presume that all UN member states will join the observance of those principles, at least as of today," Putin was quoted as saying.

Last week, the EU decided to extend sanctions against Syria, but also to lift the embargo on weapons for the rebels, which caused many reactions and indicated there were divisions among EU's leaders.

While it is expected that no one will send any weapons before the peace conference in Geneva, Moscow immediately reiterated the information about the agreement on the delivery of the S-300s.

Despite the opposition from the West and criticism of the possible delivery, Russia at no point gave up on its position that the anti-aircraft weapons would serve to stabilize the situation in Syria and pacify those who want to further escalate the conflict, adding that "the rebels do not have jets, anyway."

"I repeat that any attempts to influence the situation in Syria through direct foreign military intervention is doomed to failure", noted Putin.

The Russian president, commenting on the announced peace conference in Geneva, emphasized that "the behavior of some of the rebel leaders and their refusal to sit at the table, and the fact that the Syrian opposition is not united, does not contribute to the peace process."

"This conference will certainly not lack in individuals such as the militant leader who was seen in a video eating body parts of a murdered Syrian soldier," Putin said, according to an RT report.

The Russian president pointed out that his country and the United States agreed about the conference, and that Russia fulfilled what it had undertaken - to convince the Assad regime to send its representatives to Geneva.

The reprorts concerning the S-300 missiles have stirred up international public after the media reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told a television station that his regime had already received the first shipment.

But Russia soon denied this, saying at the same time that it may send MiG warplanes to Syria, which was followed by warnings from Israel that the use of the S-300 missiles would be "prevented."