MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Syrian President Bashar Assad’s resigning would doubtfully lead to the end of bloodshed, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
“We often hear from our Western colleagues that if Bashar Assad leaves, bloodshed in Syria will end…But these ‘good intentions’ are hard to believe,” Shoigu said.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting against numerous opposition and extremist groups.