Syria's Assad says West wants to weaken Russia
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 March 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syria's Assad says West wants to weaken Russia, 27 March 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/552f9da632.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 27, 2015
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says Western countries are trying to weaken Russia by turning Ukraine into a puppet state.
In comments published March 27 in Russia's official Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Assad said the same tactic had been used against Syria. He said: "Firstly, because both countries are important for Russia, and secondly because the goal in both cases is to weaken Russia and create a puppet state."
The U.S. and EU have imposed economic sanctions on Russia over its role in the crisis in Ukraine. Russia is a long-standing ally of Assad.
Assad also said Syria would welcome an increased Russian military presence at Syrian ports, including at Tartus, where Russia maintains what it calls a naval supply point.
Meantime, Interfax quotes an unnamed source in the Russian Naval Staff as saying there are currently no plans to upgrade Tartus into a full naval base.
Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website