AP INTERVIEW: KREMLIN SUPPORT FOR ASSAD NOT UNCONDITIONALhttp://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_SYRIA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-04-06-11-50-08MOSCOW (AP) -- President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said Thursday that Russia's support for Syrian President Bashar Assad is not unconditional, but that the country demands a full investigation of the suspected chemical attack on a rebel-held province in Syria before the United Nations takes any action.
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's remarks came two days after the suspected chemical attack killed at least 72 people. Moscow, Assad's key backer, has supported the Syrian government militarily in the ongoing conflict since 2015.
Peskov told The Associated Press in an interview that "unconditional support is not possible in this current world," but added that "it is not correct to say that Moscow can convince Mr. Assad to do whatever is wanted in Moscow. This is totally wrong."
Moscow and Damascus "enjoy a relationship of cooperation, of exchange of views and full mutual support," Peskov said. Assad and his army are "the only real power in Syria that can resist terrorists on the ground," he said.