MOSCOW. Jan 21 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia has never exported and does not plan to export weapons that could upset the balance of power in conflict zones, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told Interfax on Friday.
Yakovenko made this statement ahead of Syrian President Bashar al-Asad's visit to Russia on January 24-27.
Western media, as well as U.S. and Israeli officials, last week sharply criticized Moscow for allegedly discussing the sale of Iskander-E tactical missile systems and Igla shoulder-fired missile systems to Syria.
"In our arms dealings, we have never exceeded our international commitments and have never exported weapons that we have no right to export under our international obligations, or which, if supplied in certain quantities, could upset stability in conflict regions," Yakovenko said.
All of these principles are laid down in Russian law, he said.
"We strictly follow them in our relations with all countries, which naturally includes Syria," Yakovenko said.