MOSCOW. Sept 18 (Interfax) - A member of the United Russia faction in the State Duma, Vyacheslav Nikonov, has expressed concern about the escalating tensions in Syria and the growing risk of a direct Russia-U.S. engagement in that region.
"It's true that the meeting Putin and Erdogan had yesterday gives a chance for resolving the Idlib situation peacefully. But this does not mean the problem has been resolved, and the risk of a clash, a direct military engagement [between Russia and the United States] over this region is impossible," Nikonov said on behalf of the United Russia faction during the parliament's Hour of Statements on Tuesday.
Statements on the possibility of a direct military confrontation with Russia were made in the United States last week, Nikonov said. "The Syria situation is escalating," he added.