Assad expresses support to Putin on Ukraine

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad supported Russia's position in the Ukraine crisis, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Thursday. In a cable addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Assad expressed his solidarity, on behalf of the Syrian people, with Putin's efforts to "restore security and stability in the friendly country of Ukraine." Assad stressed that Putin's reaction to the crisis in Ukraine is legitimate and adheres to the UN's objectives that aim "to create a balanced and transparent world based on respecting the sovereignty of countries and the right of peoples to decide their destiny," reported SANA. Assad described the Russian leadership’s stance as a "wise policy" in the face of "coup attempts against legitimacy and democracy in favor of the terrorist extremists." Source: MENA