Lavrov: Assad not Moscow's ally like Ankara is to Washington

Syrian President Bashar Assad is not Moscow's ally like Ankara is to Washington despite Russia's support of the Syrian leader in his fight against terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Sputnik in an exclusive interview.

The United States, the European Union, as well as their allies in the Middle Eastern region consider Syrian President Bashar Assad to be illegitimate and call for his resignation, while Russia and Iran insist that it was up to Syrian people to decide the fate of their country and leadership.

"Assad is not our ally, by the way. Yes, we support him in the fight against terrorism and in preserving the Syrian state. But he is not an ally like Turkey is the ally of the United States," Lavrov said.