Syria Conflict to See No Winner - Russian FM

"We have long been trying to calm the situation [in Syria],” Lavrov told Russian television channel RTVi.

"But as soon as the slightest glimmer of hope appears… someone immediately does everything possible to frustrate the hope,” he said. "There will be no winner [in that conflict].”

"I do not know for whom it is advantageous. It may be advantageous for many. For example, for those who would like to see fewer big and influential countries in the region,” the Russian foreign minister said.

"For those who would like those countries, unless they retain their integrity, to be long involved in addressing the consequences of a terrible war,” he said.

About 70,000 people have died in Syria since the start of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad in March 2011, according to UN figures. Russia, along with China, has faced widespread condemnation over its refusal to approve UN sanctions against Assad’s regime.

Moscow has repeatedly stated it has no interest in seeing Assad remain in power, but is rather concerned that unilateral sanctions would create a power vacuum that would lead to more violence.

Lavrov also said the only way out of the crisis is to encourage all sides to the Syrian conflict to stop violence and start negotiations.