Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, during his talk with Russia Today television channel's journalists and correspondents, June 11, 2013. (RT photo / Semyon Khorunzhy)
Putin Says Assad Could Have Avoided War, Criticizes West -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could have avoided civil war by responding more quickly to demands for political change, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.
In comments to Russia's English-language state television network RT, Putin repeated that Russia is not acting as an advocate for Assad and blamed the West for violent upheaval in the Middle East.
Putin's remarks signaled no change in Russia's position on Syria. Moscow says it is not trying to prop up Assad but that his exit must not be a precondition for a negotiated resolution of a conflict that has killed more than 80,000 people so far.
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More News On Russian President Putin's Remarks On The Syrian Civil War
Putin: Assad could have avoided war -- Al Arabiya
Putin says Assad should have gone ahead with reforms -- Straits Times/AFP
Putin Warns Against Syria Intervention -- RIA Novosti
Putin: Russia policy on Syria is aimed at ensuring eventual harmony, not advocating for Assad -- AP
My Comment: Yup .... Assad could have avoided all of this, but like all despots he just could not bend.