Ground troops use in Syria can result in world war: Russian PM

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says the use of ground troops in the Syrian conflict could result in world war, the Associated Press reports.

Medvedev was quoted as saying in an interview published late Thursday, Feb 11, by the German newspaper Handelsblatt that "a ground operation draws everyone taking part in it into a war."

When asked about a recent proposal from Saudi Arabia to send in ground troops to Syria, the PM answered that "the Americans and our Arab partners must consider whether or not they want a permanent war."

Medvedev criticized Western powers' refusal to collaborate with Russia in Syria. The Prime Minister said ties at the level of defense departments are only sporadic.