Top European Union officials are supporting the U.S. missile strikes on military targets in Syria as a means of deterring further chemical weapons attacks by Damascus. EU Council President Donald Tusk said in a tweet Friday that the "U.S. strikes show needed resolve against barbaric chemical attacks. EU will work with the U.S. to end brutality in Syria." European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement that he "understands efforts to deter further attacks." He said "there is a clear distinction between airstrikes on military targets and the use of chemical weapons against civilians." On the other hand, The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin will chair a meeting of his Security Council to discuss the U.S. strikes on Syria. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov wouldn't say if Russia could use its military assets in Syria to protect Syrian facilities in case of new U.S. strikes. He also wouldn't speculate on whether Russia's move to cut a hotline with the U.S. military in Syria could provoke collisions in the crowded skies over Syria. Asked if Russia sees Syria as a military ally, Peskov answered positively. He argued Friday that the U.S. attack has "de facto served interests of the IS and other terrorist organizations.
