Russia 'has Not, Will Not' Change Syria Stance
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Russia said on Friday that it had not changed and would not change its controversial stance on Syria, after a top Russian diplomat said the defeat of the Syrian regime was possible.
"We have never changed our position (on Syria) and we never will," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Bogdanov said earlier this week the Syrian regime "is losing more and more control" and it was not excluded that President Bashar Assad could lose the conflict with the rebels.
The United States swiftly welcomed Bogdanov's comments, saying it appeared Moscow was "finally waking up to the reality."
Lukashevich retorted Friday that "we were never sleeping to begin with."
"Our position remains in effect," he told reporters. "It is unchanged."
It is not clear if Bogdanov -- who is also the Kremlin's special envoy for the Middle East -- was aware that his remarks Thursday were on the record and would be reported by Russia's news agencies.
Russia has so far refused to turn against Assad's regime despite the conflict, which according to rights groups has killed 42,000 people since March last year.
It infuriated the West and anti-Assad Arab states by refusing to cut military and other ties with Damascus established during the Soviet era with the president's father and predecessor Hafez Assad.
14 December 2012, 09:27
21
If his remarks were or not on the record is not important. Important is that there are true! Can somebody deny the reality?!
14 December 2012, 10:58
36
I may be wrong but things usually start in this manner. Some sort of statement and then denial. We'll see if Russia will show strong support to Assad in the few weeks to come. I think support will come once again since the end is not near yet and the west still has some doubts regarding the opposition. Assad will leave when there is a complete package deal pleasing the US, Europeans, Israel and the Russians. How he'll leave is another question and details that not too many care actually. He may find asylum or has his fate in Syria.
14 December 2012, 12:26
37
@karim_m1
You are so funny. Bachar is looking for your support every morning and when he reads your stupidities he sends you Barazeks.
14 December 2012, 14:24
22
the nice dilemma: qaeda in syria is helping bashar cling to power..more corn plse.
14 December 2012, 16:37
21
and you will continue to poop here...until you get your rocket.
14 December 2012, 19:52
12
The russians are starting to sound exactly like the syrian regime, same confusion, same contradiction lol
14 December 2012, 19:53
11
The syrian regime is going down, and ur M8 will go kiss rebel feet. The revolution for freedom in iran is not far either. You will live ur nightmare soon when you realize that your suni enemies are the real power in the region, you wither make peace or your rockets will kill you
14 December 2012, 20:41
12
The only good thing that has ever come of Russia is whoars and vodka.
15 December 2012, 04:40
00
The allawites and shia support Assad, and so do half the sunnis, therefore he will not loose power, no matter what the propaganda... It's like saying Michel aoun is going to get kicked out of Lebanon, but he has the support I half the Christians and the Shia so I think a lot of people on naharnet should wake up! Russia is right. Assad will not leave, the opposition will not give up, and they will fight a long war (similar to Lebanon) so don't expect the end anytime Soon ... It's at least a few years away
