Assad: Support of Terrorism Led to Refugee Crisis in Europe

European states' policy has led to the refugee crisis in the EU, as many countries had supported terrorism in the Middle East, the Syrian leader claimed.

DAMASCUS (Sputnik) – Europe is responsible for the ongoing refugee crisis, as it has supported terrorism in the Middle East, Syrian President Bashar Assad said.

"So Europe is responsible because it supported terrorism, as I said a short while ago, and is still supporting terrorism and providing cover for them," Assad said in an interview with Russian media, referring to the Western support of the so-called moderate opposition in Syria.

Assad blamed Europe for leading the policy of double standards.

"Can you feel sad for a child’s death in the sea and not for thousands of children who have been killed by the terrorists in Syria? And also for men, women, and the elderly? These European double standards are no longer acceptable," Assad asked.

The ongoing violence in Syria has forced some 11 million people out of their homes with hundreds of thousands of them trying to make their way to Europe to find safety.