The NATO deployment of Patriot missiles in Turkey would not facilitate the political settlement of the Syrian crisis, and could fuel tension between the two neighboring countries, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Russia was concerned over the Patriot surface-to-air missiles to be deployed in Turkey near its borders with Syria, and believed that "the stockpile of extra weapons" in the border area would not foster a political settlement, ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told a news briefing here.

On the contrary, the move "brings about an additional element of tension between the neighboring countries," Lukashevich added.

On Thursday, Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov said that Moscow was wary of the NATO anti-aircraft system's deployment in Turkey.

A solution to the prolonged Syrian conflict "is possible only ( with efforts) by the two confronting sides, not with third-party involvement or with the use of military force," Gerasimov reportedly told Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Knud Bartles during their talks here.

According to earlier media reports, around 600 NATO troops are expected to accompany the six Patriot missile systems to be deployed in Turkey. Endi

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