Russia softens its support for Syria's Assad

MOSCOW, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Russia distanced itself from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday it was not crucial for him to remain in power.

Asked by Ekho Moscovy radio whether maintaining Assad in power is of high importance to Russia, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded, "Absolutely not, we never said that."

"We are not saying that Assad should leave or stay," she said.

Zakharova said it was up to the Syrian people to decide the country's leadership.

While Assad's removal is a key point of U.S. strategy in Syria, Russia has been his most staunch supporter and has opposed the idea of his removal. Zakharova's comments can be seen as a softening of Russian support for Assad's administration.

Russia, at Syria's request, began airstrikes in September against Islamic State targets in Syria.