Russia's envoy to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said Friday that comments by Syrian President Bashar al Assad that he wanted to restore control over the whole country were out of tune with Russia's diplomatic efforts on the Syria crisis, Russia Today reported.

The Russian envoy added that Assad should follow Moscow's advice on resolving the Syrian crisis.

"If the Syrian authorities do not agree to a ceasefire, this can result in the fact that the armed conflict in the country will last very, very long," Churkin said.

"Russia has invested heavily in this crisis — politically, diplomatically and now also militarily. Therefore, we, of course, would like Bashar al Assad to respond to this," he added.

Source: MENA