Russia says not crucial to keep Syria's Assad in power
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Keeping Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power is not crucial for Russia, RIA news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying on Tuesday.
When asked if saving Assad was a matter of principal for Russia, Zakharova said: "Absolutely not, we never said that."
"We are not saying that Assad should leave or stay," she added.
