Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Saturday that international support for Syrian rebels would lead to "more blood" and the government could not be expected to willingly give in to its opponents.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (Photo: Internet)

Speaking at the joint news conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba,  Lavrov said Western and Arab nations should exert more influence on rebels to stop fighting.  However, Western countries along with some countries neighboring Syria, encourage, support and direct the armed fight against the regime. The price of all this is still more blood. Foreign Minister Gemba said that the position of the Russian side has great influence, and there is also the voice of the international community.

In a related development, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Saturday that Russia will not participate in any European Union sanctions imposed against Syria. In particular, Russia will not consider requests or agree to inspect ships sailing under the Russian flag or use of any other restrictive measures against them.