The clash in Syria between the United States and Russia becomes more likely every day. US President Donald Trump says that "the beautiful and intelligent US missiles are ready". From Moscow they reply: "We will shoot them all down". Meanwhile, ships loaded with Tomahawk missiles are traveling from the US to Syrian coasts, while US reconnaissance planes departing from the Italian base of Sigonella monitor the Turkish-Syrian border.
Trump had promised a quick response after the alleged chemical attack in Duma. In addition to French support, that of British Prime Minister Theresa May also arrived yesterday, increasingly convinced that it was the Assad regime that used the chlorine bombs. All while the Pentagon prepares plans for military options in Syria.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin replies by choosing the path of diplomacy: "The situation in the world is increasingly chaotic - he said - but I hope that common sense will prevail and relations will end up on a constructive path".
Moscow's ambassador to Lebanon, Aleksandr Zasipkin, does not use the same tone: "If the Americans strike" Syria, "their missiles will be shot down, and so will the structures from which these missiles will be launched". The diplomat warned of the dangers of further escalation in Syria and assured that Russia is willing to negotiate.
But the Russians are not limited to diplomacy: the Navy has organized exercises in Syrian territorial waters and from today the Moscow military police will be deployed in the Duma. Where, according to the Kremlin, the chemical attack was only a staging of the White Helmets, the civil defense volunteers. And, again according to the Russians, the American missiles aim to erase any evidence in support of this thesis.
The new Syrian crisis also brings complications for the formation of the Italian government, for the pro-Russian inclination of the leader of the League: “Fake news to drop more bombs? No more wars, thank you,” Matteo Salvini tweeted.
