Assad regime told to follow Moscow's lead

MOSCOW

Russia has asked the Syrian regime to follow its lead, warning the Syria conflict could last for several more years if the Bashar al-Assad regime continued to insist on not having a ceasefire.

In an interview with the Russian media outlet Kommersant Thursday, Vitaly Churkin, Russia’s permanent representative at the UN, Vitaly Churkin said: "If the Damascus regime insists on a fight till a final victory without any ceasefire, then, the current crisis could last for years.”

He made the comments when asked to respond to Assad’s recent remarks that he would keep on fighting until he emerged victorious.

Churkin said the Syrian president’s reported remarks were not "in line" with Russia’s diplomatic efforts.

He said that cessation of hostilities was currently underway.

"If the Damascus regime follows Russia’s lead, they will have a chance to get out of this crisis," Churkin said, warning that the regime would be in a "difficult condition" otherwise.

He added that Russian forces had provided a lot of relief to Assad forces and saved them from a total collapse, turning the "tide of the fighting in his favor".

Also, Churkin said that Russia has invested politically, diplomatically and militarily in the Syria crisis. He advised the Assad regime to follow Moscow’s suggestions.