Russia’s position on Syria and Assad remains unchanged - Kremlin spokesman

MOSCOW, July 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed in a telephone conversation with US President Barack Obama on June 26 Russia’s position on settling the crisis in Syria with participation of President Bashar Assad, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Tuesday. Peskov was commenting on yesterday’s White House statements that it is important to form a new government in Syria without Assad. "An exchange of opinions on this topic really took place [during a telephone conversation]. Russia’s position is well-known, and it was confirmed by the [Russian] president during the discussion," Peskov said, answering a TASS question about prospects for the Syrian settlement. Putin earlier stressed that only Syrian people have the right to demand Assad’s resignation. The Russian president also noted the Moscow’s position on supporting the incumbent Syrian president is based on concerns that in another case, the situation in the country can repeat the Libyan or Iraqi scenario. "We think that this is the right position, and it would be hard to expect anything different from us," Putin told the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 19. Moscow has repeatedly stated that it is necessary to facilitate intra-Syrian dialogue with the participation of incumbent President Bashar Assad. Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov also said earlier that "current Syrian authorities are one of the most substantial and efficient forces in fighting IS [Islamic State]." Read more