MOSCOW. Jan 14 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova has called the accusations made by Turkey against Russia, accusing it of trying to create a quasi-state in Syria, a manifestation of "a conspiracy theory."
"They are inventing, I can't think of a different verb here, and disseminating various conspiracy theories about some true reasons of Russia in Syria and attempts to create draft quasi-states in its territory," she told a briefing in Moscow.
Zakharova said the accusations made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had even made the Russian Foreign Ministry publish excerpts from the speeches made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov since 2012, in which he regularly said Russia supported the territorial integrity of Syria.
She reiterated that Russia's goals in the region, unlike those of Turkey, are very clear and transparent.
"Turkey is playing a hidden game in the region, pursuing its narrow interests,' the diplomat said.
"Just take the connivance in the violation of the UN Security Council resolution on the smuggling of ISIL oil through its territory, let alone the regular support provided by the Turkish authorities, including with weapons, to various extremist groups in Syria, including openly terrorist organizations and organizations affiliated with them," she said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said Russia is now working on creating its zone in Syria in Latakia and its outskirts.