Russia honors existing Syrian arms deals Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (L) speaks with visiting Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting at the presidential palace in Damascus, on February 7, 2012, in this official handout photo. HAMPSHIRE, England, July 11 (UPI) -- Russia will honor existing military supply contracts for air defense systems for the Syrian government, a Russian military official said Wednesday. Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, deputy director of Russia's federal service for military cooperation, said Monday that Moscow would hold back on a $550 million contract for the Yak-130 combat training aircraft until the violence in Syria subsides. He said during an international airshow in Britain, however, the Kremlin hasn't embargoed existing arms contracts with Syria, Russia's state-run news service RIA Novosti reports. Dzirkaln added that Russian warships would be sent to the region to defend shipping in case a blockade is imposed on Syria. "The fleet will be sent on task to guarantee the safety of our ships, to prevent anyone interfering with them in the event of a blockade," he said. I remind you, there are no limits. Moscow this week drafted a resolution that would extend the mandate for a U.N. observer mission in Syria. The conflict in Syria entered its 16th month in July.