Russia remains opposed to the adoption of the proposed UN Security Council resolution on Syria, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"Concerning the resolution which has been proposed for discussion, the Russian president said everything about this quite a long time ago. Our position has not changed," Lavrov said in Astana in answer to a question from Interfax.
Medvedev earlier said that Russia would not even discuss the draft resolution on Syria.
"The situation in Syria is not as simple as some are trying to portray," he said.
"A large group of armed militants is active in Syria and they have seized several populated areas. Syrian forces have been tasked to liberate these populated areas," the Russian foreign minister said.
"We deplore all instances of violence. Those who commit violence must be aware of their liability for that, of course," Lavrov said.
"But most importantly, one shouldn’t picture the Syrian security and armed forces as acting exclusively against peaceful demonstrators. There are many armed provocateurs planted there. I don’t think any state will tolerate direct insurgency attempts," the Russian foreign minister said.
"Russia insists that all this be stopped and the reform declared by President Assad implemented," he said.
Concurrently, the opposition leaders, those who attack the government forces and government buildings, must respond to the invitation for dialogue instead of standing firm on their current position and rejecting all discussions of the proposed reform," Lavrov said.
President Dmitry Medvedev said in Deauville on May 27 at a G8 summit that Russia does not support tighter sanctions against Syria.
