Kremlin Declines to Comment on Putin's Telegram to Assad

The Kremlin will not comment on the exchange of communication between presidents of Russia and Syria, Vladimir Putin and Bashar Assad respectively, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, Assad’s press service said that Putin had sent the Syrian leader a telegram with a message of support for him and the Syrian army.

"We never comment on the constant exchange of messages between president Putin and other heads of state. We shall not do it this time either. President Putin himself said many times that support of the Syrian Arab Republic in its fight against terrorism <…> will continue," Peskov told reporters.

According to Syrian media, Putin sent Assad a message of congratulations as Syria is celebrating its independence day on April 17.

The United States and some of its allies have been supporting the so-called moderate Syrian opposition since the beginning of the conflict, calling for Assad to resign, while Moscow recognizes Assad as the legitimate authority in the country, stressing that the Syrian people should be free to choose their leadership without outside intervention.