Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Syrian President Bashar Assad's chances of retaining power are getting "smaller and smaller" every day, according to the transcript of an interview with CNN released by his office on Sunday.
It was Russia's most vocal statement that Assad's days may be numbered. But he reiterated calls for talks between the state and its foes and said Assad must not be pushed out by external forces.
"The task for the United States, the Europeans and regional powers … is to sit the parties down for negotiations, and not just demand that Assad go and then be executed like [the late former Libyan leader Moammar] Gadhafi or be carried to court sessions on a stretcher like [Egypt's] Hosni Mubarak," he said.
(Reuters)
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
