Russia stays in direct contact with the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and conducts consultations with NATO through Turkey, Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Defense Committee Chairman and former Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Airborne Troops Vladimir Shamanov said on the national Rossiya’1 TV channel on Wednesday.
"Direct dialogue with the leaders of US Joint Chiefs of Staff is ongoing. Through our allies, Turkish counterparts, communications are checked and verified with NATO," Shamanov said adding that in his opinion, "no matter how emotional and threatening Mr. [Donald] Trump’s statements might have been," the response from British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron "shows that they lack unity and adopted measures have brought about initial results."
Even there might be internal conflict within US, France and UK about the possible elimitation of threats in Syria, the military strike is imminent. The incident displays the fact that Russia intends to protect its assets in Syria despite the fact that Russia might unofficially agree with some targets.
