Asked whether it was crucial for Moscow that Assad stays, spokeswomen Maria Zakharov reportedly said on the Ekho Moskvy radio station: “Absolutely not, we’ve never said that”.
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Not long after the remarks were made, Zakharov sought to clarify them with another Russian media outlet; “I can confirm that Russia’s position on resolving the Syrian (crisis) has not changed”, she said.
The Lebanese Hezbollah group, which the military backs, has also sent fighters.
The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. “We know that Russia’s primary intent is to preserve the regime”.
Ms. Patterson’s comments appeared only to prompt frustration among a few lawmakers – particularly the Foreign Affairs committee’s Republican leadership – who have leveled biting criticism toward the Obama administration’s overall response to the Russian incursion into Syria during recent weeks.
And, tellingly, they come days after the temporary halt of peace talks in Vienna, Austria, that featured representatives from at least 18 interested parties. Although the USA government has said that Mr Assad can have no part in Syria’s ruling after the war, Russian Federation claims to have no interest or inclination to act in the matter.
Russian Federation and Iran agreed on his staying in office, and that it was up to the Syrian people to elect their president.
Moscow has been bombing targets in Syria since September 30, when it launched an offensive in support of forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad against IS jihadists and other “terrorist” groups.
Royce suggested Russia’s stepped-up air campaign could have hobbled the pace and intensity of the U.S.-led strikes, which began a year ago. Lavrov said two lists must be drawn up before discussions can continue.
The United States has sharply criticized Russia’s airstrikes and has ruled out any military coordination with Moscow.
Over the past two months, the pace of USA airstrikes has fallen off, compared to the previous six months, hitting a low of 117 airstrikes last month.
In a sign of the sensitivities, the Pentagon said calling Tuesday’s procedure a military “exercise” was incorrect, adding that had been only a “test”. The war has killed an estimated 250,000 people and driven more than 11 million from their homes.
Kartapolov said Moscow’s jets hit targets close to Palmyra, Deir Ezzor, Ithriya and eastern Aleppo with assistance from the opposition, destroying “terrorist” command posts, munition stores and anti-aircraft artillery.
Victoria Nuland, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, said Moscow has failed to exact any humanitarian concessions from Assad as a price for Russian support.
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Lavrov spoke at a press conference after meeting in Moscow with United Nations envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to discuss the process of finding a political solution to the conflict that has left more than 240,000 people dead since March 2011.
