Germany voices concern over US-Russian confrontation in Syria

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is concerned about the possibility of a direct American-Russian confrontation on Syrian soil.

Steinmeier told Bild am Sonntag newspaper yesterday that “despite the great relief that these attacks did not go unpunished, there is a risk of a direct confrontation between US and Russian weapon systems in Syrian territory.”

Those looking for a peaceful future in Syria need to think beyond the next air strike, he stressed, adding that the United States and Russia bear great responsibilities in this regard.

“If Washington and Moscow do not find a way to narrow differences over Syria, there are no chances of a settlement in this country,” Steinmeier said.

On Saturday, the US, France and the UK announced that they launched strikes against Syrian regime military sites. The strikes were in response to the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians in the town of Douma last week.

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