MOSCOW (AP) – President Vladimir Putin’s intervention in Syria has saved President Bashar Assad’s government from imminent collapse and raised Russia’s global clout. But after last week’s chemical weapons attack their relationship is increasingly becoming a burden for Putin, jeopardizing chances for improved relations with the U.S.
Still, the Russian leader has made clear he will not abandon Assad.
It’s hard to imagine how Russia and the U.S. could agree on Syria after President Donald Trump called Assad “an animal” over the deadly chemical attack, while Moscow has insisted on the Syrian leader’s innocence.
Putin hasn’t lost hope of making a “grand deal” with Trump, but the Russian leader’s unflinching support for Damascus indicates that he doesn’t see dumping Assad as part of it.
The tense talks U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson held in Moscow on Wednesday didn’t seem to narrow the gap.